title: Visualization of abscess formation in a murine thigh infection model of Staphylococcus aureus by 19F-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During the last years, (19)F-MRI and perfluorocarbon nanoemulsion (PFC) emerged as a powerful contrast agent based MRI methodology to track cells and to visualize inflammation. We applied this new modality to visualize deep tissue abscesses during acute and chronic phase of inflammation caused by Staphylococcus aureus infection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this study, a murine thigh infection model was used to induce abscess formation and PFC or CLIO (cross linked ironoxides) was administered during acute or chronic phase of inflammation. 24 h after inoculation, the contrast agent accumulation was imaged at the site of infection by MRI. Measurements revealed a strong accumulation of PFC at the abscess rim at acute and chronic phase of infection. The pattern was similar to CLIO accumulation at chronic phase and formed a hollow sphere around the edema area. Histology revealed strong influx of neutrophils at the site of infection and to a smaller extend macrophages during acute phase and strong influx of macrophages at chronic phase of inflammation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We introduce (19)F-MRI in combination with PFC nanoemulsions as a new platform to visualize abscess formation in a murine thigh infection model of S. aureus. The possibility to track immune cells in vivo by this modality offers new opportunities to investigate host immune response, the efficacy of antibacterial therapies and the influence of virulence factors for pathogenesis.
authors: Institute for Molecular Infection Biology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
authors: Tobias
authors: T
authors: Hertlein
authors: Volker
authors: V
authors: Sturm
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Kircher
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Basse-Lüsebrink
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Haddad
authors: Knut
authors: K
authors: Ohlsen
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Jakob
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000473:pathology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D013848:Thigh / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology*