Evaluation of the efficacy of 99mTc-Infecton, a novel agent for detecting sites of infection.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the sensitivity and specificity of 99mTc-Infecton (Infecton), a novel ciprofloxacin based imaging agent, in detecting sites of infection.


METHODS
Ninety patients thought to be suffering from a variety of infections were administered 300-400 MBq of Infecton intravenously. Whole body images were taken one and four hours later. Appropriate specimens were taken for microbiological investigations. Statistical analysis was performed using a computer statistical package.


RESULTS
Ninety eight Infecton images were produced. Forty one of these were positive, including three false positives, where the patients had non-infective conditions. Fifty seven negative images were obtained, of which 41 were true negatives and 16 were false negatives, having definite evidence of infection. Thus, Infecton imaging has a sensitivity of 70.3% and a specificity of 93.1% for detecting infective foci. The positive and negative predictive values were 92.6% and 71.9%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Infecton imaging is a new diagnostic tool that is specific for detecting sites of bacterial infection in the body. The high positive predictive value displayed by the technique is clinically important because a positive image strongly supports a diagnosis of bacterial infection. A negative result does not rule out an infection, and may be a result of previous or current antibiotic treatment and/or infection with organisms that do not take up Infecton. Infecton imaging has major advantages over well established imaging techniques, including radiolabelled leucocytes, and may prove to be a superior method for localising bacterial infections.
Hall
A V
AV
Department of Medical Microbiology, St Bartholomew's Hospital, West Smithfield, London, UK.
Solanki
K K
KK
Vinjamuri
S
S
Britton
K E
KE
Das
S S
SS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D002939:Ciprofloxacin; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013667:Technetium
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D002939:Ciprofloxacin; D013667:Technetium