Detection of mycoplasma contamination in cultured human fibroblasts: Comparison of biochemical and microbiological techniques

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Eighteen human fibroblast strains were tested for mycoplasma contamination by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of 3H-uridine labeled RNA and by standard microbiological culture techniques. Despite negative culture results, prominent 23S and 16S RNA peaks were detected in 11 of these cell strains. The mycoplasma origin of this RNA was indicated by electron microscopic demonstration of these organisms. Another indication of contamination was the decreased specific radioactivity of whole cell RNA extracted from cell strains infected with mycoplasma.