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Know your enemy: Unexpected, pervasive and persistent viral and bacterial contamination of primary cell cultures

Hanna Niehues1, Patrick A M Jansen1, Diana Rodijk-Olthuis1

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Radboud University Medical Center (Radboudumc), Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Experimental Dermatology
|June 8, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Two uncommon cell culture contaminations, human adenovirus C and Brevibacillus brevis, were successfully identified and eradicated using DNA sequencing and targeted aseptic techniques, preventing further experimental failure.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Research
  • Cell Biology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Cell culture contamination is a significant challenge in biomedical research, leading to experimental failures.
  • Identifying and managing diverse contamination sources requires robust strategies.
  • Uncommon contaminants pose unique difficulties in detection and eradication.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe two distinct cases of uncommon cell culture contamination.
  • To detail the successful identification and eradication strategies employed.
  • To highlight the importance of advanced detection methods for persistent contamination.

Main Methods:

  • Case 1: Human adenovirus C contamination identified via PCR and eradicated using formalin gas sterilization and elimination of infected cell lines.
  • Case 2: Brevibacillus brevis contamination identified via DNA sequencing and eradicated using chlorine solution.
  • Both contaminants were identified using DNA sequencing, enabling targeted aseptic techniques.

Main Results:

  • Successful eradication of human adenovirus C from cell culture facilities.
  • Successful eradication of spore-forming bacterium Brevibacillus brevis.
  • Prevention of further research delays and loss of valuable cell sources.

Conclusions:

  • DNA sequencing is crucial for identifying uncommon cell culture contaminants.
  • Targeted aseptic techniques, including specific sterilization methods, are effective for eradication.
  • Proactive management of cell culture contamination is essential for reliable biomedical research.
Keywords:
adenovirusantibioticscell cultureinfectionkeratinocytespore-forming bacteria

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