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Published on: September 5, 2017
Evaluation of monkeypox disease progression by molecular imaging.
Julie Dyall1, Reed F Johnson, Dar-Yeong Chen
1Integrated Research Facility, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|October 21, 2011
Summary
Monkeypox virus (MPXV) infection in nonhuman primates (NHPs) can be monitored using molecular imaging. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) identified inflammatory patterns that predict MPXV disease outcomes in NHPs.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Nonhuman primates (NHPs) are utilized as a model for variola virus infection.
- Monkeypox virus (MPXV) infection in NHPs is being developed to study variola infection.
- Understanding MPXV pathogenesis and outcomes is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of molecular imaging in assessing MPXV infection outcomes in NHPs.
- To identify inflammatory patterns as predictors of MPXV disease severity and survival.
- To evaluate the role of immune activation in MPXV pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Two NHPs were sublethally inoculated with MPXV via intravenous (IV) or intrabronchial (IB) routes.
- Sequential imaging using fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT was performed.
- 18F-FDG uptake was used as a marker for inflammation and immune activation.
Main Results:
- Intrabronchial inoculation led to lung inflammation, with bilobular involvement correlating with morbidity.
- Lymphadenopathy and immune activation in axillary lymph nodes were observed in both IV- and IB-infected NHPs.
- Surviving NHPs exhibited significant 18F-FDG uptake in axillary lymph nodes prior to challenge, suggesting a link to survival.
Conclusions:
- Molecular imaging, specifically PET/CT, can identify inflammatory patterns associated with MPXV disease.
- These patterns may serve as predictors for disease outcome and risk assessment in MPXV-infected NHPs.
- Pre-existing immune activation, indicated by lymph node uptake, might be associated with improved survival.
