Radiosynthesis of 99m Tc-labeled novobiocin dithiocarbamate complex as a potential Staphylococcus aureus infection radiotracer

The ^99m Tc complex with dithiocarbamate derivative of novobiocin, ^99m Tc(CO)₃-NBND, was prepared using the [^99m Tc(CO)₃(H₂O)₃]⁺ precursor. The complex was examined to evaluate its radiochemical permanence in saline and serum, in vitro bacterial uptake, and biodistribution in male Wistar rats (MWR). The ^99m Tc(CO)₃-NBND complex showed more than 90% radiochemical stability in saline for up to 4 h. The complex gave maximum stability of 99.10 ± 0.24% in saline after 30 min of reconstitution. In serum, 12.40% side products are accumulated within 16 h. The ^99m Tc(CO)₃-NBND complex showed 76.80 ± 0.90% in vitro binding with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). In infected MWR muscles, ^99m Tc(CO)₃-NBND uptake was approximately 6 times higher than in inflamed and normal muscles. High stability of ^99m Tc(CO)₃-NBND in saline and serum, in vitro binding with live S. aureus, and specific higher uptake in the infected (live S. aureus) muscles make it a potential infection radiotracer.