Invasive fungal infections have become a major challenge for public health, mainly due to the growing numbers of immunocompromised patients, with high morbidity and mortality. Currently, conventional imaging modalities such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging contribute largely to the noninvasive diagnosis and treatment evaluation of those infections. These techniques, however, often fall short when a fast, noninvasive and specific diagnosis of fungal infection is necessary. Molecular imaging, especially using nuclear medicine-based techniques, aims to develop fungal-specific radiotracers that can be tested in preclinical models and eventually translated to human applications. In the last few decades, multiple radioligands have been developed and tested as potential fungal-specific tracers. These include radiolabeled peptides, antifungal drugs, siderophores, fungal-specific antibodies, and sugars. In this review, we provide an overview of the pros and cons of the available radiotracers. We also address the future prospects of fungal-specific imaging.

Center for Infectious Disease Imaging Radiology and Imaging Sciences Clinical Center National Institutes of Health Bethesda Maryland USA

Cluster of Excellence EXC 2124 Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections Eberhard Karls University Tübingen Tübingen Germany

Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute Palacky University Olomouc Olomouc Czech Republic

Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine Palacky University Olomouc Olomouc Czech Republic

Werner Siemens Imaging Center Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy Eberhard Karls University Tübingen Tübingen Germany

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