A review of cell culture contaminations.

Abstract

It is apparent that most laboratories employing tissue and cell cultures for experimental or diagnostic purposes encounter contaminations. If not detected and properly controlled or eliminated, contaminants may severely affect such investigations, and be the cause of incorrect interpretations. The Committee on Contaminations in Cells and Tissue Cultures of the Tissue Culture Association considered it as one of its functions to review the most pertinent literature related to contaminations with cells, bacteria, yeasts, molds, parasites, Mycoplasma, and viruses. The present review article is not intended to cover the subject completely but will, hopefully, be helpful to workers in the area of cell and tissue cultures who are concerned about the problem of contamination. Apparently many are not thoroughly familiar with the proper procedures for prevention, detection, and, perhaps, elimination of contaminants from the experimental systems that they employ.