Photoacoustic probe of targeting intracellular Staphylococcus aureus infection with signal-enhanced by self-assembly

Abstract In this chapter, we introduce the photoacoustic imaging probe in detecting the infection of bacterial in host cells. We give detailed protocols for the synthesis and confirmation of a PA probe which response to caspase-1 and then self-assembly to enhance the signal. With this PA contrast agent, we may provide a new approach for an intracellular bacterial infection with the selective and sensitive diagnosis.