Alice Elena Munteanu

Alice Elena Munteanu


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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3 June 2025 in Microorganisms
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
CACorina Ioana Anton
Corina Ioana Anton
AMAlice Elena Munteanu
Alice Elena Munteanu
RMRaluca Mititelu
Raluca Mititelu
MȘMilitaru Alexandru Ștefan
Militaru Alexandru Ștefan
CBCosmin Alexandru Buzila
Cosmin Alexandru Buzila
ASAnca Streinu-Cercel
Anca Streinu-Cercel
Infective endocarditis (IE) as a diagnosis remains challenging, particularly in prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE). This study evaluates the diagnostic utility of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) in patients with suspected IE. Seventy patients with suspected IE underwent clinical, microbiological, echocardiographic, and 18F-FDG PET/CT evaluation. Diagnostic performance of PET/CT was assessed against clinical classification based on modified Duke criteria. Definitive PVE was diagnosed in 18 patients (26%), while 52 (74%) had possible IE. PET/CT reclassified 13 patients from possible to definite IE, demonstrating an overall sensitivity of 83.3%, specificity of 93.7%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 83.3%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 93.7%. Excluding native valve endocarditis cases, sensitivity and specificity increased to 94.1% and 95.7%, respectively. PET/CT detected septic emboli in five patients and incidental malignancies in three cases, underscoring its role in comprehensive patient evaluation. False-negative results were mostly observed in early post-surgical PVE and native valve endocarditis. PET/CT also identified alternative diagnoses in patients reclassified as rejected IE. 18F-FDG PET/CT provides high diagnostic accuracy for suspected PVE, significantly aiding reclassification of ambiguous cases and detection of extracardiac complications and malignancies. Its integration into diagnostic algorithms may improve clinical management and outcomes in complex IE cases.