99mTc-amoxicillin: A novel radiopharmaceutical for infection imaging

Abstract

Amoxicillin, a penicillin derivative was synthesized as ready-to-used single vial kit and radiolabeled with technetium-99m. Various trials have been carried out to optimize the concentration of stannous chloride, amoxicillin, pH and reaction time. Radiochemical purity, in vitro and in vivo stability, partition co-efficient, protein binding and biodistribution in rabbit infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae were studied. The biodistribution studies in rabbit showed that 99mTc-amoxicillin started to accumulate in the infected area at 1-h postadministration. 99mTc-amoxicillin may prove itself as potential novel radiopharmaceutical for imaging infections caused by many bacteria. Keywords: 99mTc-amoxicillin, Scintigraphy, Radiopharmaceutical, 99mTc, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Infection imaging