Adventitious Virus Detection Service

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Detection Service with qualified cell lines

Test Specifications

Available Testing Procedures

Report - Confidentiality Notice

Sample Preparation

Shipping Instructions

Please Note

Test Specifications 

The scope of the testing is the viral safety of biotechnology products derived from cell lines of human or animal origin. Adventitious viruses may be detected in the sample after inoculation on susceptible cell cultures. The cell types used for cultivation have been selected for well known and broad range virus susceptibility and for closest virus/host relations.

All indicator cell lines used for virus testing are routinely tested for mycoplasma, bacteria, and pestivirus contamination by PCR to prevent any undetected and unspecific variation in cell characteristic and morphology.

All control viruses used are lysing the host cells and form plaques. Anyhow, cytopathic effect of other viruses may result in pycnosis, cell fusion, intranuclear inclusions, or intraplasmal inclusions. A positive result is given if in comparison to the untreated control cell culture any of these morphological symptoms occur.

All samples are tested in parallel with positive spike and negative controls. Processing and results are provided usually within three weeks. Testing of avian or insect based viruses is not available.

Available Testing Procedures 

• Detection of possible virus contamination in biopharmaceuticals, master and working cell banks, etc.
• Incubation on indicator cells RK13 (canine), MDBK (bovine), Vero (reference standard) or Hela (human) depending on use of or exposure to material from such organisms during the handling process.

Report - Confidentiality Notice 

Test result is provided in a printed form or as PDF by email including electronic pictures of the cell cultures. All customer information is treated as strictly confidential. Formal, contractual confidentiality agreements can be generated upon request. Reports are maintained in our archives for five years; samples are kept up to six months for retesting at customers’ request.

Sample Preparation 

The test volume and preparation requirements depend strictly on the type of sample material. Please contact Minerva Biolabs for specific advice.

Shipping Instructions 

Please announce the shipment of your material by email, fax or telephone. For more detailed information contact our support team: support@minerva-biolabs.com.

Please Note  

Please note: Minerva Biolabs does not accept sample material of biological safety level 3 or 4. The offered mycoplasma testing service is not to be used for clinical diagnosis. This service is intended exclusively for quality control / research purposes only. Samples can only then be accepted when Minerva Biolabs receives the signed sample submission form.