Abstract
Background: Diagnostic performance of positron emission tomography using white blood cells labeled with fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG-WBC PET or PET/CT) in patients with suspicious infectious diseases has been evaluated in several studies; however, there is no consensus about the diagnostic accuracy of this method. Therefore, a systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out on this topic. Methods: A comprehensive computer literature search screening PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane library databases through March 2019 was performed. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+ and LR−), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of 18F-FDG-WBC PET or PET/CT in patients with infectious diseases were calculated. Results: Eight studies on the use of 18F-FDG-WBC PET or PET/CT in suspicious infectious diseases were discussed in the systematic review. The meta-analysis of seven studies (236 patients) provided these pooled results on a per patient-based analysis: sensitivity was 86.3% [95% confidence interval (95%CI) 75–92.9%], specificity 92% (95%CI 79.8–97.1%), LR+ 6.6 (95%CI: 3.1–14.1), LR− 0.2 (95%CI: 0.12–0.33), DOR 43.5 (95%CI: 12.2–155). A statistically significant heterogeneity was not detected. Conclusions: Despite limited literature data, 18F-FDG-WBC PET or PET/CT demonstrated a good diagnostic accuracy for the diagnosis of infectious diseases; nevertheless, larger studies are needed.
Highlights
Infectious diseases are a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide [1]
The recent development of molecular imaging methods has enabled an improved diagnosis of infectious diseases: Molecular imaging methods may detect infection and inflammation in an early phase before the appearance of morphological changes [3,4,5,6]
Several radiolabeled molecular probes are currently available for imaging of infectious diseases, including both non-specific agents as fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18 F-FDG), a radiolabeled glucose analogue that accumulates in infection, sterile inflammation, and tumor lesions, and more targeted probes that seek to differentiate infection from sterile inflammation [3,4,5,6]
Summary
Infectious diseases are a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide [1]. Early and accurate diagnosis of infectious diseases can be difficult and time-consuming, whereas a delayed diagnosis can be life-threatening. The recent development of molecular imaging methods has enabled an improved diagnosis of infectious diseases: Molecular imaging methods may detect infection and inflammation in an early phase before the appearance of morphological changes [3,4,5,6]. Diagnostic performance of positron emission tomography using white blood cells labeled with fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18 F-FDG-WBC PET or PET/CT) in patients with suspicious infectious diseases has been evaluated in several studies; there is no consensus about the diagnostic accuracy of this method. Specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+ and LR−), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of 18 F-FDG-WBC PET or PET/CT in patients with infectious diseases were calculated
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call