P686

Fluorescence Imaging of Ringworm Infection and Curcumin Treatment.

Rao V. L. Papineni*, Sean Orton, Gilbert Feke and Benjamin Geldholf.
Carestream Molecular Imaging, 4 Research Dr., Woodbridge, CT, 06525, USA.

*rao.papineni1@carestreamhealth.com

Introduction
Ringworm is a common fungal infection that appears as patches of red ring on the skin. The remedies include natural remedies such as curcumin. Curcumin, 1,7-Bis(4-hydroxy-3methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione, is derived from turmeric plant, a member of the ginger family. We have used the near infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging to image the infection and subsequent treatment using topical curcumin application. An optical imaging set up capable of imaging the arm of a human subject is described here. In this work, non invasive autofluorescence imaging was performed utilizing the natural fluorescence resultant of the fungal infection. Changes in fluorescence as a result of the curcumin treatment are also presented. These results indicate the potential of utilizing such imaging approaches for various dermatological conditions.

Molecular Imaging of Microcirculation During Infection and Cure - A Case Study

Microcirculation Imaging - Optical Imager

Hand

CCD 400 watt

EX 620

Fig. 2 The above schematic describes Carestream Developmental phase Planar Optical Imaging set-up designed to image human Arm. A 400-Watt Xenon illuminator is applied to image the natural fluorescence at the interphalangeal joints and/or the whole Arm. (U.S. Patent -Papineni et al. In the process). We have shown earlier the capability of noninvasive imaging of microcirculation (Right Panel) using autofluorescence (Papineni 2010, presented at the clinical studies session of WMIC).

Ringworm and Curcumin.

Curcumin

Fig.3 Ringworm infection of a 25 yr caucasian volunteer. Topical treatment (> 1h) with curcumin (in peanut oil) was carried out at the infection site on the right arm. While the infection site (smaller patch) on the left arm was left untreated. The subjects arms were imaged Pre and Post Curcumin treatment using the settings in the right panel.

Exposure Type: Exposure Time: Exposure: Total Experiment: X-binning: Y-binning: Illumination Source: f-Stop: FOV: Focal Plane: Excitation Filter: Emission Filter:

Standard Exposure 2.000 min. 1 of 1 120.00 secs. No No Multi-wavelength 0.95 135.0 mm 0.0 mm 630 700

Parameters for Fluorescence Imaging of Microcirculation

Pre-CurcuminRight Arm

24 Hr after Curcumin Treatment

Fig.1 Ringworm, also known as Tinea, is a fungal infection that can occur at any
region of the body. It is generally characterized by a slightly raised, usually red or brown colored patch of skin, with a light center, forming a ring shape(Medicinenet.com). Curcumin (right inset) is the Curcumin is the main curcuminoid of the Indian Spice turmeric (Right), a member of the ginger family. Turmeric has been used in Indian Ayurvedic Medicine since 1900 BC in treatment of several ailments (Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. 2007). Curcumin has been used topically treat conditions such as ringworm The therapeutic potential of curcumin in shown below (curcumin.co.nz).

Summary
Microcirculation changes likely due to ringworm infection, was determined by planar optical imaging utilizing natural fluorescence. Although this is a Case Study, the feasibility of determining the physiological changes in response to the dermatological conditions by optical imaging approach is promising. Additional studies with various derivatives of Curcumin will provide details on the mechanistic role of the polyphenols in anti-infection.

Untreated Left Arm

24 Hr after no Curcumin Treatment

The Therapeutic Potential of Curcumin.

Fig. 4 Fluorescence imaging of microcirculation at the ringworm infection site. The increased perfusion was observed at the infection site and is denoted by the dotted yellow arrow. The microcirculation seem to change with the levels of infection and the ringworm treatment (comparing between the treated and untreated). Molecular Imaging - Wisdom To See For Maladies To Flee" Dr. Rao V. L. Papineni

Carestream is a trademark of Carestream Health, Inc. Curcumin was kindly provided by Dr. Ahmed from University of Miami.

Carestream Health, Inc.