Prior to our discovery, all monoclonal antibodies to Cryptococcus neoformans bind to epitopes in and on a specific cryptococcal capsule. Since Cryptococcus neoformans has four unique capsule compositions each monoclonal antibody is able to bind with only its specific capsule type. This specificity makes these antibodies less desirable as diagnostic markers for Cryptococcus neoformans because a minimum of four different monoclonals is necessary for screening. Our monoclonal antibody does not bind with the capsule and is therefore able to identify all strains of Cryptococcus neoformans. Further, in vivo animal tests have shown that our novel monoclonal antibody prolongs the survival of animals infected with a clinical isolate of Cryptococcus neoformans.
Research data is available on a confidential basis.
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