Recommendations for Standardizing Thorax PET-CT in Non-Human Primates by Recent Experience from Macaque Studies

Area of Science:

• Preclinical research
• Veterinary imaging
• Infectious disease modeling

Background:

• Minimally invasive imaging enhances data acquisition per animal, aligning with ethical principles.
• Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) is crucial for understanding disease mechanisms and developing treatments in non-human primates.
• Optimizing PET-CT parameters is essential for high-quality imaging in non-human primate research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify critical parameters for high-quality integrated PET-CT imaging in non-human primates.
• To provide guidance for various stages of PET-CT-supported research in non-human primates.
• To demonstrate the application of PET-CT in imaging experimental infectious respiratory diseases in macaques.

Main Methods:

• Focusing on thoracic imaging in macaques using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose as a PET tracer.
• Describing parameters affecting PET-CT quality in non-human primates.
• Analyzing imaging data from tuberculosis, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2 infected macaques.

Main Results:

• Key parameters influencing PET-CT quality in non-human primates were identified.
• Imaging of experimental infectious respiratory diseases in macaques was successfully performed.
• The study provides practical recommendations for optimizing PET-CT protocols.

Conclusions:

• Optimized PET-CT imaging in non-human primates is vital for advancing preclinical research.
• This imaging modality supports refined animal use and enhances understanding of disease.
• The findings guide the effective implementation of PET-CT in non-human primate studies.