Fungal and Yeast Contamination

Symptom

Visible turbidity and color change of medium. Fungal structures visible under standard light microscopy. Rapid onset similar to bacterial contamination. May include visible mold growth.

1. 1 Dust and spores from storage settling into cultures
2. 2 Growth of molds on walls and shelves in humid CO2 incubators
3. 3 Spores carried on forced-air circulation in incubators
4. 4 Dirty storage or incubation conditions
5. 5 Inadequate cleaning of incubators and storage areas
6. 6 Contaminated incoming cell lines during transit

1. 1 Use screw caps instead of stoppers for culture vessels
2. 2 Cover caps and necks of bottles with aluminum foil during storage/incubation
3. 3 Clean and disinfect incubators regularly according to manufacturer specifications
4. 4 Enclose open dishes in plastic boxes with close-fitting lids in humid incubators
5. 5 Swab bottles with 70% alcohol before placing in biosafety cabinet
6. 6 Handle incoming cell lines in quarantine and test for contamination
7. 7 Grow new cultures for two weeks without antibiotics to check for contamination
8. 8 Use secondary containment for plates in incubators

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