Mycoplasma are too small to be seen in a light microscope. Unlike other bacteria, they don´t visibly change the culture medium. Therefore it is critical to routinely test cultures. When choosing a test method the following aspects should be considered:
- Throughput (How many samples do you need to test at once?).
- Desired turnaround time (How long can you wait for the results? A longer time increases the risk of the contamination spreading).
- Access to the required lab equipment.
Get an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of mycoplasma detection methods with this PDF file.
You can find more information on cell culture contamination at www.eppendorf.com/cellexperts.