Passive immunization with melanin-binding monoclonal antibodies prolongs survival of mice with lethal Cryptococcus neoformans infection

Passive immunization with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to melanin prolonged the survival of and reduced the fungal burden in Cryptococcus neoformans-infected mice in comparison to controls. MAbs to melanin reduced the growth rate of in vitro-melanized C. neoformans cells, suggesting a new mechanism of antibody-mediated protection.