New imaging agent to identify bone infections in sickle cell disease

[18F]fluoromannitol: A novel imaging agent to delineate osteomyelitis in sickle cell disease

NIH-funded research St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · NIH-11108961

This study is testing a new imaging tool to help doctors better spot a serious bone infection called osteomyelitis in people with sickle cell disease, using mice to see how well it works before it’s used in patients.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Memphis, United States)
Project IDNIH-11108961 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a novel imaging agent, [18F]fluoromannitol, to help diagnose osteomyelitis in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Osteomyelitis is a serious bacterial infection that can be difficult to differentiate from other complications of SCD. The study aims to create a reliable positron emission tomography (PET) imaging method that can specifically identify this infection, which is crucial for timely and effective treatment. By using a mouse model, the researchers will validate the effectiveness of this imaging agent in detecting bacterial infections associated with SCD.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with sickle cell disease who are at risk for developing osteomyelitis.

Not a fit: Patients without sickle cell disease or those who do not have a risk of osteomyelitis may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of osteomyelitis in patients with sickle cell disease, potentially reducing severe health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using novel imaging agents for diagnosing infections, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Where this research is happening

Memphis, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.