title: Eradication of mycoplasma contaminations.
abstract: Mycoplasma contaminations have a multitude of effects on the cultured cell lines that may influence the results of experiments or pollute bioactive substances used in human medicine. The elimination of mycoplasma contaminations of cell cultures has become a practical alternative to discarding and reestablishing important or irreplaceable cell lines. Different quinolones, tetracyclines, and pleuromutilins shown to have strong antimycoplasma properties are employed for the decontamination. We provide detailed protocols to assure eradication of mycoplasma, to prevent formation of resistant mycoplasma strains, and to cure heavily contaminated and damaged cells. To date, we have not detected any consistent and permanent alterations to eukaryotic cells either during or after the treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human and Animal Cell Lines, DSMZ, German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures, Braunschweig, Germany. cup@dsmz.de
authors.forename: Cord C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Uphoff
authors.forename: Hans G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Drexler
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002460:Cell Line; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects; D009174:Mycoplasma / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents