Pathologic aspects of mycoplasma contamination of cell cultures

Abstract

It is known that cell cultures are widely used both in research and in the production of medical immunobiological preparations. In recent years, cells grown in vitro, are regarded as highly promising for the repair or restoration of organs. A major problem when using cultured cells remains contamination by microorganisms. Contamination by bacteria or fungi is inevitable with some frequency in each laboratory, it is easy to diagnose, but almost every case means the loss of culture. More serious is the problem of mycoplasma contamination, caused, first of all, the prevalence of this organism, a high rate of reproduction and the ability to use components from the cell culture medium. In the present review the sources of mycoplasma contamination, pathological aspects of the effect of mycoplasma on the structure and function of cells, changing its growth in vitro, the methods of control and decontamination of cells were analyzed.