Mammalian Cell Cultures Contaminated with PPLO III. Elimination of PPLO with Specific Antiserum.

Abstract

A procedure for control of PPLO contamination in mammalian cell cultures has been presented as an alternative to the employment of antibiotics. Six cell lines have been freed of PPLO by comparatively short-term exposure to antiserum specific for the contaminant in question. For destruction of 2 of the mycoplasma species a heat-labile serum component was required; the remaining 4 lines were successfully treated with inactivated serum. Because control of these contaminants is of utmost importance in the use of cell cultures as experimental systems application of this technic may be advantageous when antibiotic resistance is encountered.