| 摘要 |
This invention relates to monoclonal antibodies which bind to non-enhancing protective epitopes on serotype A, B, C and D strains of C. neoformans, such protective epitopes containing acetyl groups in the polysaccharide of the epitopes. Other monoclonal antibodies of this invention are serotype specific, and bind to acetyl groups on polysaccharide capsule protective epitopes of serotype D strain C. neoformans only. This invention further relates to methods for producing these monoclonal antibodies. These monoclonal antibodies may be passively administered to treat and prevent cryptococcal infection, such as Cryptococcal meningitis, in immunosuppressed patients. These monoclonal antibodies may also be used for detection of fungal infection, for the development of diagnostic serotyping of clinical isolates, and as therapeutic adjuncts to anti-fungal antibiotic therapy.
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