Mycoplasma Testing
Cell lines, cell culture media and reagents can be submitted to ECACC for testing to determine if Mycoplasma are present. The effects of Mycoplasma contamination on cell lines can be wide ranging and are often underestimated, leading to a variety of problems. These include:
- Alteration of growth rate
- Induction of morphological changes
- Chromosomal aberrations
- Altered cell metabolism
- Decreased viability upon resuscitation of frozen ampoule.
Regular testing for Mycoplasma contamination is recommended for all laboratories carrying out cell culture.
Electron micrograph of Mycoplasma infected cell line
Three different mycoplasma detection methods are routinely used at ECACC, namely:
| PCR | more information | |
| DNA Stain | more information | |
| Culture Isolation | more information |
It is recommended that a combination of methods are used to determine whether a sample is free of Mycoplasma as strains of Mycoplasma which do not grow in vitro, can be detected by DNA stain and PCR. More information on test methods
Mycoplasma Detection Methods:
| Assay Characteristics | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assay type | Sensitivity | Speed | Species Range | ECACCIn-house Protocol | US FDA Approved Protocol |
| PCR | Low / Medium | 1 day | Majority | Yes | No |
| DNA Stain | Medium | 2-3 days | All | Yes | Yes* |
| Culture Isolation | High | 3-4 weeks | Majority | Yes | Yes |
*European Pharmacopoeia protocol also available by arrangement