An IgA monoclonal antibody (MUM/F1-1/copenhageni) was produced from a mouse immunised with Leptospira interrogans serovar copenhageni. The antibody showed partial serogroup specificity by agglutination and by reaction in enzyme immunoassay, and opsonised homologous leptospires for phagocytosis by cultured mouse macrophages. Immunodiffusion and Western-blotting experiments indicated that MUM/F1-1/copenhageni reacted with a carbohydrate determinant in the leptospiral lipopolysaccharide. Daily administration of purified MUM/F1-1/copenhageni IgA before and after challenge with 2 X 10(8) virulent homologous leptospires passively protected newborn guinea pigs against lethal leptospirosis.