Charles River Publishes “Assay Validation for Rapid Detection of Mycoplasma Contamination”
April 20, 2009 – Experts from Charles River published an article, titled “Assay Validation for Rapid Detection of Mycoplasma Contamination,” in the April 2009 issue of BioProcess International. An excerpt from the article is below; click here to read the full article.
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Assay Validation for Rapid Detection of Mycoplasma Contamination
An Application of Fluorescent Probe Technology and Amplification of Specific Nucleic Acids
BioProcess International – April 2009
Mycoplasmas and related bacteria in the class Mollicutes are parasitic organisms found not only on the external surfaces of a wide range of eukaryotic host cells, but also intracellularly. They are characterized by small size and lack of a rigid cell wall, which gives them resistance to β-lactam antibiotics and the ability to pass through 0.2-μm filters. Contamination by Mollicutes is a common problem for cell cultures that is not easily detected because it usually does not produce turbidity or cytopathic effects even though high densities are achievable (105–108 organisms/mL). A contaminated product-producing cell culture may not be apparent, but the contamination can affect cell growth and alter the metabolic and biochemical characteristics of contaminated cells — and it may lead to unsafe final products.
Mycoplasma infection can originate from laboratory personnel, contaminated animal sera, and contaminated aerosols. It may be disseminated by the sharing of contaminated cells among different laboratories. The presence of mycoplasmas of swine origin in bovine serum may come from contamination in mixed slaughterhouses. Trypsin is a compound of swine origin often used in cell culture, and it can also contribute to the presence of mycoplasma DNA…continue reading.