Synthesis and biodistribution of a novel 99mTcN complex of ciprofloxacin dithiocarbamate as a potential agent for infection imaging

The ciprofloxacin dithiocarbamate (CPFXDTC) was synthesized and radiolabeled with [99mTcN]2+ intermediate to form the 99mTcN-CPFXDTC complex in high yield (>95%). No decomposition of the complex at room temperature was observed over a period of 6 h. Its partition coefficient indicated that it was a good lipophilic complex. The bacterial binding assay studies showed 99mTcN-CPFXDTC had a better binding affinity as compared with 99mTc-ciprofloxacin. Biodistribution results in induced infection mice showed 99mTcN-CPFXDTC had higher uptake at the sites of infection and better abscess/blood ratio than that of 99mTc-ciprofloxacin, suggesting 99mTcN-CPFXDTC would be a novel potential infection imaging agent.