Diagnostic imaging of herpes simplex virus encephalitis using a radiolabeled antiviral drug: autoradiographic assessment in an animal model
To develop a new approach to the diagnosis of herpes simplex encephalitis, we used a radiolabeled antiviral drug, 2'-fluoro-5-methyl-1-beta-D-arabinosyluracil labeled with carbon 14 ((14C)FMAU), as a probe for selectively imaging brain infection in a rat model by quantitative autoradiography. A high correlation was found between focal infection, as defined by immunoperoxidase viral antigen staining, and increased regional (14C)FMAU uptake in brain sections. Two potential sources of false-positive imaging were defined: high concentrations of drug in the choroid plexus because of its higher permeability compared with brain, and drug sequestration by proliferating uninfected cell populations. Our results support the soundness of the proposed strategy of using a labeled antiviral drug that is selectively phosphorylated by herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase in conjunction with scanning methods for human diagnosis, and also define some of the factors that must be taken into account when planning clinical application.
- Research Organization:
- George C. Cotzias Laboratory of Neuro-Oncology, Sloan-Kettering Institute, New York, NY
- OSTI ID:
- 6801418
- Journal Information:
- Ann. Neurol.; (United States), Vol. 15:6
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ENCEPHALITIS
DIAGNOSIS
HERPES SIMPLEX
AUTORADIOGRAPHY
ANTIBODIES
BIOLOGICAL MODELS
BRAIN
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
RATS
ANIMALS
BODY
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
DISEASES
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MAMMALS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES
ORGANS
RODENTS
SKIN DISEASES
VERTEBRATES
VIRAL DISEASES
550601* - Medicine- Unsealed Radionuclides in Diagnostics