Mycoplasma Diagnostic Service

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Expert mycoplasma testing in cell cultures & other biological materials

Test Specifications

Available Testing Procedures

Report - Confidentiality Notice

Sample Preparation

Shipping Instructions

Special Preparation for Cell Culture Samples

Special Preparation for Blood Samples

Please Note

Test Specifications 

The validated Venor^®GeM Mycoplasma Detection Kit is employed: reliable and sensitive providing a yes/no result, with a detection range of more than 25 mycoplasma species.

All samples are tested in parallel with positive and negative controls, as well as with an internal amplification control. Processing and results provided via fax usually within the same day.

Available Testing Procedures 

• direct testing (cell-, virus- or Chlamydia cultures, patient material)
• specification (identification of contamination source(s) of positive samples)
• definitive exclusive of possible contamination in biopharmaceuticals, culture media, supplements etc., after previous incubation on indicator cells (Vero)
  

Report - Confidentiality Notice 

• test result is provided in advance via fax when desired
• additional report with a printout of the gel photo is provided
• 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 

Please find a detailed description of the sample preparation on the sample submission form (PDF, 64 kB).

Shipping Instructions 

The samples can be sent to our laboratory without a telephone announcement for the preparation of the sample material. A complete copy of our sample submission form must be enclosed with all submitted samples.

Special Preparation for Cell Culture Samples 

Cell cultures should be tested at almost complete confluence (95-100%). PCR inhibiting substances may accumulate in the medium of older cultures. A DNA extraction is necessary in the event of a PCR inhibition. Elimination of antibiotics is not necessary, however to maximize test sensitivity, cell lines should be pre-cultured in the absence of antibiotics for several days.

Special Preparation for Blood Samples 

Mycoplasmal infections are found in patients with several acute and chronic illnesses like: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS), Myalgic Encepthalomyelitis (ME), Gulf War Illness, Lyme Disease, AIDS, Autoimmune diseases, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Scleroderma, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Multiple Sclerosis, Leukemia and other diseases.

At least 500 µl ideally 1 ml EDTA-blood should be provided by the customer. A DNA extraction will be performed in our laboratories prior to PCR analysis.

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 or applications involving humans. 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.