ImmunoPET/MR imaging allows specific detection of Aspergillus fumigatus lung infection in vivo

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a frequently fatal lung disease of immunocompromised patients, and is being increasingly reported in individuals with underlying respiratory diseases. Proven diagnosis of IPA currently relies on lung biopsy and detection of diagnostic biomarkers in serum, or in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids. This study supports the use of immunoPET/MR imaging for the diagnosis of IPA, which is so far not used for diagnosis. The antibody-guided imaging technique allows accurate, noninvasive and rapid detection of fungal lung infection and discrimination of IPA from bacterial lung infections and general inflammatory responses. This work demonstrates the applicability of molecular imaging for IPA detection and its potential for aiding clinical diagnosis and management of the disease in the neutropenic host.