Evaluation of the labelling and binding efficiency of Tc-99m to red blood cells of patients who are being exposed to a cocktail of anti-tuberculosis drugs

Abstract

Radioactively labelled red blood cells (RBC) are used in various nuclear medicine studies. In order to obtain accurate results when performing these studies, it is of paramount importance that a good binding of the radioactivity (Tc-99m) with the red blood cells is ensured. The literature indicates that certain drugs can influence red cell membrane properties and biochemistry. These drugs can potentially influence the binding of radionuclides to cells. Antibiotics may possibly alter the labelling efficiency of Tc-99m RBC. Due to the high incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in South Africa, many patients receive anti-TB medication, and therefore the influence of these drugs on the labelling efficiencies of Tc-99m RBC was studied.