Imaging Agent Detects Unusual Infections

A study has demonstrated that the imaging agent LeukoScan (sulesomab) was successful in locating such pathologic findings as endocarditis and pericarditis, pneumonia, and infections of abdominal organs, particularly in patients with fever of unknown origin. The study was presented at the 48th Annual Meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine in Toronto (Canada).

Researchers from Suhl, Germany, conducted the study involving 50 patients with unusual infections. They were evaluated with LeukoScan after a routine diagnostic workup and often during antibiotic therapy in order to locate potential sites of infection outside the bone. LekoScan showed an overall sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 75%, often in patients with negative results by other tests. Another study revealed that the LeukoScan antibody leaves the blood rapidly and accumulates at sites of inflammation.

"Patients presenting with fever of unknown origin can be a diagnostic challenge, requiring multiple radiologic methods to determine the source of infection, especially if they don't respond to antibiotics,” noted Dr. Lutz Greiner-Bechert, head of marketing and sales in Europe for Immunomedics, Inc. (Morris Plains, NJ, USA).




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