DNA aptamers selection for Staphylococcus aureus cells by SELEX and Cell-SELEX.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is the most common bacteria found in skin, soft tissues, bone, and bone prostheses infections. The aim of this study was to select DNA aptamers for S. aureus to be applied in the diagnosis of bacteria.

Detection of bacterial infection by a technetium-99m-labeled peptidoglycan aptamer.

Nuclear medicine clinicians are still waiting for the optimal scintigraphic imaging agents capable of distinguishing between infection and inflammation, and between fungal and bacterial infections. Aptamers have several properties that make them suitable for molecular imaging. In the present study, a peptidoglycan aptamer (Antibac1) was labeled with Tc and evaluated by biodistribution studies and scintigraphic imaging in infection-bearing mice.

Scintigraphic imaging of Staphylococcus aureus infection using Tc radiolabeled aptamers.

Staphylococcus aureus is a specie of great medical importance associated with many infections as bacteremia and infective endocarditis as well as osteoarticular, skin and soft tissue, pleuropulmonary, and device related infections. Early identification of infectious foci is crucial for successful treatment. Scintigraphy could contribute to this purpose since specific radiotracers were available.

(1→3)-β-D-glucan aptamers labeled with technetium-99m: Biodistribution and imaging in experimental models of bacterial and fungal infection.

Introduction: Acid nucleic aptamers are RNA or DNA oligonucleotides capable of binding to a target molecule with high affinity and selectivity. These molecules are promising tools in nuclear medicine. Many aptamers have been used as targeting molecule of radiopharmaceuticals in preclinical studies.

Selection of peptidoglycan-specific aptamers for bacterial cells identification.

Peptidoglycan is a highly complex and essential macromolecule of bacterial outer cell wall; it is a heteropolymer made up of linear glycan strands cross-linked by peptides. Peptidoglycan has a particular composition which makes it a possible target for specific bacterial recognition. Aptamers are single-stranded DNA or RNA oligonucleotides that bind to target molecules with high affinity and specificity.