Monoclonal antibodies against LipL32 confer prophylactic protection against lethal leptospirosis challenge in animal model

Abstract Leptospirosis is a widespread zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the genus Leptospira. The commercially available vaccines are bacterins that offer limited protection, short-term effect, and serovar-specific immunity. The development of novel immunization strategies is crucial to control the infection and decrease the chances of new outbreaks. In this study, purified monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) anti-LipL32 (1D9 and mAb3) were evaluated by their capacity to bind and neutralize the pathogen improving host survival. For that, an in vitro growth inhibition assay, and in vivo passive immunization were performed in animal model. Syrian hamsters were passively immunized by three different strategies. Hamsters immunized with mAb3 6 h prior to the lethal challenge showed a significantly higher survival rate of 61.1%, and a significant reduction in tissue damage in the lungs. Cumulatively, our results showed that anti-LipL32 mAbs inhibited the growth of L. interrogans in vitro, and that passive immunization offered significant protection in animal model when administered prior to infection.