A rapid method for detection of mycoplasmas in mammalian cell cultures and comparison with other routine techniques

A simple and rapid method for the detection of mycoplasmas in mammalian cell cultures has been developed on the basis of the enzymatic activity of adenosine phosphorylase. This enzyme, which has been found in high activity in mycoplasmas in contrast to mammalian cells, catalyzes the transformation of 6-methylpurine deoxyriboside (6-MPDR) into the two cytotoxic products 6-methylpurine and 6-methylpurine riboside and is the basis of an established indirect cytotoxicity test for mycoplasmas. In this study estimation of parasitic incidence relies on the direct visualization of the enzymatic conversion of 6-MPDR by isocratic ion-pair reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The final result of the test is available after 3 to 24 h of incubation of the cells together with the indicator metabolite 6-MPDR and depends on the adenosine phosphorylase activity of the respective mycoplasma species. The direct detection of enzymatic activity results in a high sensitivity, allowing the observation of infections that could not be found by the indirect cytotoxicity test. Comparison of the direct adenosine phosphorylase activity test with other commonly used methods reveals distinct cost and time advantages.