New PET scan technique aims to sniff out hidden infections

NCT ID NCT05611905

Completed Diagnosis Sponsor: Johns Hopkins University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This early study tested whether a special PET scan using a radioactive form of vitamin B9 (11C-PABA) can help doctors see infections deep inside the body. Researchers scanned 13 healthy people and patients with known or suspected infections. The goal was to see if this method can tell the difference between an infection and other problems like inflammation or cancer.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: 11C-para-aminobenzoic acid (11C-PABA) with PET/CT imaging
What this could lead to: If successful, this imaging technique could help doctors quickly tell if a deep-body infection is bacterial or not, guiding better treatment.
What could go wrong: This is a very early Phase 1 study with only 13 people. It tests imaging, not treatment, so it won't directly help patients yet. The technique may not reliably distinguish infections from other conditions.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

bacterial infectious disease cancer idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis infectious disease inflammatory disease neoplasm rheumatoid arthritis

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

BACTERIAL INFECTIONS INFLAMMATORY DISEASE ONCOLOGIC DISEASE RENAL EXCRETION

Contacts and locations

Locations

Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions

Baltimore, Maryland, 21218, United States

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