Radiocomplexation and evaluation of the .sup.99mTc-Gemifloxacin in artificially Escherichia coli infected mice

Gemifloxacin as a broad spectrum quinolone antibacterial agent was radiocomplexed with high activity of .sup.99mTc and was evaluated as an infection imaging agent in artificially Escherichia coli (E. Coli) infected mice. .sup.99mTc-Gemifloxacin with high specific activity (0.148 GBq/μmol) and labeling yield (98.60 ± 0.70 %) was obtained. Our main achievement was high accumulation in the E. Coli infected right thigh muscle in mice (T/NT = 1.89 at 4 h post injection) which may diagnostically be beneficial to distinguish sites of E. Coli infection.