In Vivo Imaging of Inflammation and Infection

In ammation is a signi cant component of several chronic diseases involving the cardiovascular, metabolic, musculoskeletal, and nervous systems. Timely identication and localization of in ammation is critical for the adequate treatment of patients. Notably, also, infection always has in ammatory components. Molecular imaging such as positron emission tomography (PET) may reveal molecular and cellular changes and provide sensitive detection of in- ammatory and/or infectious foci at an early stage of disease. In general, specic imaging of in ammatory processes may be a demanding task because of increased blood ow and enhanced vascular permeability causing unspecic uptake of imaging agents. Although several radiopharmaceuticals have been developed, no agent has been found with the optimal characteristics for imaging in ammation, and thus, there is still room for new, better agents and development of quanti ation methods.