Molecular detection of Gram-positive bacteria in the human lung through an optical fiber-based endoscope
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE AND MOLECULAR IMAGING, vol.48, no.3, pp.800-807, 2021 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 48 Issue: 3
- Publication Date: 2021
- Doi Number: 10.1007/s00259-020-05021-4
- Journal Name: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE AND MOLECULAR IMAGING
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Biotechnology Research Abstracts, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE
- Page Numbers: pp.800-807
- Keywords: Optical imaging, Fluorescence, Bacteria, Gram-positive, Lung, Optical endomicroscopy
- Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: No
Abstract
Purpose The relentless rise in antimicrobial resistance is a major societal challenge and requires, as part of its solution, a better understanding of bacterial colonization and infection. To facilitate this, we developed a highly efficient no-wash red optical molecular imaging agent that enables the rapid, selective, and specific visualization of Gram-positive bacteria through a bespoke optical fiber-based delivery/imaging endoscopic device. Methods We rationally designed a no-wash, red, Gram-positive-specific molecular imaging agent (Merocy-Van) based on vancomycin and an environmental merocyanine dye. We demonstrated the specificity and utility of the imaging agent in escalating in vitro and ex vivo whole human lung models (n = 3), utilizing a bespoke fiber-based delivery and imaging device, coupled to a wide-field, two-color endomicroscopy system. Results The imaging agent (Merocy-Van) was specific to Gram-positive bacteria and enabled no-wash imaging ofS. aureuswithin the alveolar space of whole ex vivo human lungs within 60 s of delivery into the field-of-view, using the novel imaging/delivery endomicroscopy device. Conclusion This platform enables the rapid and specific detection of Gram-positive bacteria in the human lung.