Sources of Cell Contamination
Physical Contamination: Radiation, temperature fluctuations, etc.
Chemical Contamination: Impurities in media, serum, and water; endotoxins; plasticizers; detergents, etc.
Microbial Contamination: Bacteria, fungi, viruses, mycoplasma, and cross-contamination between cell lines.
What to Do When Microbial Contamination Occurs
1. Bacterial Contamination
Type: Bacterial contamination
Morphology: Spherical (cocci), rod-shaped (bacilli), and spiral forms
Culture Medium Color: Yellowish
Microscopic Observation: High bacterial density; directional movement resembling quicksand
Recommended Solutions:
Mild contamination: Treat with 10× antibiotic-antimycotic solution.
Severe contamination: Recommended to disinfect thoroughly and discard the culture.
Figure 1. Culture Medium and Microscopic Image of Bacterial Contamination
2. Fungal Contamination — Yeast Contamination
Type: Yeast contamination
Morphology: Spherical
Culture Medium Color: No noticeable change initially; turns yellowish over time
Microscopic Observation: Single oval or round yeast cells, budding may occur, forming smaller daughter cells
Recommended Solutions:
Preferred: Discard the contaminated culture directly.
Rescue option: After washing with PBS and replacing the medium, amphotericin B can be added (note: amphotericin B is cytotoxic and not recommended). Alternatively, culture with 300 μg/mL fluconazole until contamination is under control, then reduce to 150 μg/mL for 2–3 passages.
Figure 2. Microscopic Image of Yeast Contamination
3. Fungal Contamination — Mold Contamination
Type: Mold contamination
Morphology: Filamentous
Culture Medium Color: Initially unchanged; becomes turbid at the edges in later stages
Microscopic Observation: Hyphae appear as long, slender filaments, sometimes forming dense spore clusters
Recommended Solutions: Discard the contaminated culture without hesitation. Thoroughly disinfect the CO₂ incubator with ethanol, followed by wiping with a quaternary ammonium disinfectant (e.g., benzalkonium chloride). Add saturated copper sulfate to the water tray to inhibit further fungal growth.
Figure 3. Microscopic Image of Mold Contamination
4. Mycoplasma Contamination
Type: Mycoplasma contamination
Cell Morphology: Appearance of small black dots
Culture Medium Color: No obvious changes
Microscopic Observation: Slowed cell proliferation and abnormal morphology
Detection Method: Mycoplasma detection kits
Recommended Solutions:Use mycoplasma elimination reagents.Apply mycoplasma prevention reagents for prophylactic control
Figure 4. Microscopic Image of Mycoplasma Contamination
Product Overview
|
Product Name |
Specification |
Cat No. |
|
1 g/5 g/25 g |
60214ES03/08/25 |
|
|
Penicillin-Streptomycin Solution, 100×, Suitable for Cell Culture |
100 mL |
60162ES76 |
|
Penicillin-Streptomycin-Neomycin Solution(PSN), 100×, Suitable for Cell Culture |
100 mL |
60290ES60 |
|
Penicillin-Streptomycin-Amphotericin B Solution, 100×, Suitable for Cell Culture |
100 mL |
60291ES60 |
|
25 T/100 T |
40619ES25/60 |
|
|
100 μL/1 mL/5×1 mL |
40607ES01/03/08 |
|
|
MycAway™ Prophylactic (2000×) - Mycoplasma Prevention Reagent |
1 mL/5 mL |
40608ES03/08 |
|
10 assays/20 assays |
40601ES10/20 |
|
|
25 T/100 T |
40612ES25/60 |