Can a cell line be cured of mycoplasma contamination?
Yes, a cell line can be cured of mycoplasma contamination. Mycoplasma contamination is an insidious infection, which decreases cellular activity and growth rate, produces membrane alterations, affects amino acid metabolism, and diminishes the quality of the resultant data or products. Mycoplasma infections often remain undetectable and even with the heaviest contamination, cultures may appear to grow normally and remain clear. The most common method for detecting mycoplasma is the Barile and Kern method. Once detected, the cells should be cultured in the presence of Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride, a highly active fluoroquinolone antibiotic (catalog # 61-277-**). Ciprofloxacin HCl shows minimal decrease in effectiveness after 6 days in culture, therefore, regular feeding schedules are not interrupted. After treatment has been completed periodic retesting is necessary to make sure that the contamination does not reappear. See working tips for Ciprofloxacin HCl in the Technical Tips section.
