Radiolabeled microorganisms: comparison of different radioisotopic labels

Journal Article · · Rev. Infect. Dis.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1093/clinids/3.6.1179· OSTI ID:6878787

Kishore, R

Radioactively labeled microorganisms are very useful in assessing the in vitro phagocytic capability of human granulocytes and macrophages. Since microorganisms contain amino acids and nucleic acids, they can be radiolabeled by addition of radioactive amino acid and/or nucleic acid components to the culture medium. The isotopes /sup 3/H, /sup 14/C, /sup 32/P, /sup 35/S, and /sup 75/Se-have been used for bacterial radiolabeling. All of these commonly used isotopes with the exception of /sup 75/Se are beta emitters; /sup 75/Se is a gamma emitter. The half-lives of these isotopes vary from 14 days for /sup 32/P to 5,730 years for /sup 14/C. Because of the differences in their physical properties, they pose very different handling problems and require different kinds of safety precautions. In the event of either external or internal contamination, beta emitters deliver a larger localized radiation dose than do gamma emitters. In the case of internal contamination, the radiation dose increases with increases in the half-life of the radioactive isotope. Gamma radiation, on the other hand, is more penetrating than are beta particles and thus a gamma emitter requires appropriate shielding. Both the cost and the special problem of manipulation associated with these radioactive chemicals should be carefully considered before deciding which radioisotope is preferable for the labeling of microorganisms in the laboratory. In spite of the limitations of /sup 75/Se as a nonphysiologic element, it offers the simplest methods of handling among the isotopes considered in this review.

• Research Organization: Nuclear Medicine Service, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Albany, New York
• OSTI ID: 6878787
• Journal Information: Rev. Infect. Dis.; (United States), Journal Name: Rev. Infect. Dis.; (United States) Vol. 3:6; ISSN RINDD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550701 -- Microbiology-- Tracer Techniques
560164* -- Radionuclide Effects-Internal Source-- Microorganisms-- (-1987)
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMAL CELLS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BLOOD
BLOOD CELLS
BODY FLUIDS
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
DOSES
ELECTRON CAPTURE RADIOISOTOPES
EVEN-ODD NUCLEI
IN VITRO
INTERMEDIATE MASS NUCLEI
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
ISOTOPES
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
LABELLING
LEUKOCYTES
LIGHT NUCLEI
MACROPHAGES
MATERIALS
MICROORGANISMS
NEUTROPHILS
NUCLEI
ODD-ODD NUCLEI
PHAGOCYTES
PHAGOCYTOSIS
PHOSPHORUS 32
PHOSPHORUS ISOTOPES
RADIATION DOSES
RADIOISOTOPES
SELENIUM 75
SELENIUM ISOTOPES
SOMATIC CELLS
SULFUR 35
SULFUR ISOTOPES
TRACER TECHNIQUES
TRITIUM COMPOUNDS