Article PDF :

Veiw Full Text PDF

Article type :

Review Article

Author :

Anmol Mahani*, Vipul Nautiyal, Viney Kumar, Mansi Barthwal, Jyoti Rawat

Volume :

11

Issue :

1

Abstract :

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, compounded by diagnostic challenges that hinder effective disease management. Conventional diagnostic methods, such as [18F] FDG PET CT scans, often lack specificity for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), leading to misdiagnosis and suboptimal treatment monitoring. The novel radio-tracer 2-[18F] fluoro-2-deoxytrehalose ([18F] FDT) has been developed to address this limitation by specifically targeting Mtb-associated enzymatic activity. Aim and Objectives: This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of [18F] FDT PET imaging in comparison to [18F] FDG PET for tuberculosis. The objectives include assessing their specificity, sensitivity, and clinical utility to enhance the accuracy of TB detection and monitoring. Materials and Methods: A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate studies published between 2008 and 2023 on the diagnostic performance of [18F] FDT PET compared to [18F] FDG PET for tuberculosis. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus identified 58 eligible studies, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. Data on specificity, sensitivity, and diagnostic accuracy were extracted and statistically analysed. The Chi-square test and Cohen’s kappa coefficient were applied to assess differences in diagnostic performance and inter-rater agreement. Results: The review of 58 studies demonstrated that [18F] FDT PET exhibited a diagnostic specificity of 85% and sensitivity of 90% for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), compared to [18F] FDG PET, which showed a specificity of 70% and sensitivity of 75%. Statistical analysis confirmed a significant reduction in false-positive rates with [18F] FDT (p < 0> Conclusion: This meta-analysis demonstrates that [18F] FDT PET imaging offers superior specificity and sensitivity compared to [18F] FDG PET for tuberculosis diagnosis and monitoring. By accurately targeting Mycobacterium tuberculosis, [18F] FDT reduces false-positive results and enhances treatment assessment, providing a promising tool for improving TB management.