Abstract
BackgroundDuring the last years, 19F-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.Methodology and Principal FindingsIn 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.Conclusion and SignificanceWe introduce 19F-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.
Highlights
In recent years, several in vivo imaging modalities were developed to monitor infections in real-time and non-invasively
We introduce 19F-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in combination with perfluorocarbon nanoemulsion (PFC) nanoemulsions as a new platform to visualize abscess formation in a murine thigh infection model of S. aureus
MRI is a preferable modality because it is able to provide soft tissue contrast and higher spatial resolution compared to other imaging technologies such as Bioluminescent imaging (BLI) or positron emission tomography (PET)
Summary
Several in vivo imaging modalities were developed to monitor infections in real-time and non-invasively. Fluorine-18deoxyglucose and fluorinated pyrimidine nucleosides have been applied to visualize sites of inflammation or infection by positron emission tomography (PET) [3,4] Another imaging modality is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which has been adapted especially in combination with contrast agents to image edema and inflammation. 19F-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
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