Mycoplasma contamination can alter cell growth, gene expression, metabolism, and experimental results without visible signs. Detect hidden contamination with PCR or qPCR, treat valuable contaminated cultures with MycOut™ or MycoAway™, then retest to confirm removal.
Mycoplasma contamination is a significant concern in cell culture because it can alter cell behaviour, affect experimental results, and remain undetected by routine microscopic examination. With mycoplasma being widespread, routine detection and an effective control strategy are essential for protecting cell culture integrity.
Move from routine contamination screening to culture recovery and verification with a simple three-step workflow.
Choose the right mycoplasma detection kit for your cell culture workflow based on instrument type, internal control, strain coverage, and whether you prefer gel-based PCR or gel-free qPCR.
A straightforward, cost-effective PCR + gel test for routine cell culture screening.
Choose this when an internal control is important for interpreting negative results.
A sensitive, gel-free option for labs with a compatible real-time PCR instrument.
Search your organism of interest to see which kits are designed to detect it.
See how abm Mycoplasma detection performance has been evaluated through an independent peer-reviewed study and side-by-side competitor testing. abm mycoplasma detection kits have also been cited in over 1,100 publications across research applications.
Researchers from the CDC’s Arbovirus Reference Collection compared the abm PCR Mycoplasma Detection Kit with Sigma VenorGem and Lonza MycoAlert, using an ATCC assay as the reference. In this study, the abm kit had the highest sensitivity and specificity, and the repository adopted it as its primary Mycoplasma detection kit.
Compared with a leading cell-repository assay and a major life-science reagent supplier assay, G239 reduced hands-on preparation and overall time to results.
Study context: The peer-reviewed study evaluated the abm PCR Mycoplasma Detection Kit in a virus-repository quality-control setting. The G239 competitor comparison contains abm-generated side-by-side workflow and gel-readout data.
When a contaminated cell line is difficult, costly, or time-consuming to replace, abm offers two 1000X mycoplasma elimination solutions. MycOut™ builds on the established MycoAway™ workflow with a second-generation, two-component formulation designed to eliminate more than 100 Mycoplasma species, including strains resistant to first-generation treatments.
Designed for broad mycoplasma elimination and prevention in adherent and suspension cell cultures, including contaminants resistant to first-generation treatments.
A concentrated mycoplasma elimination reagent for contaminated cell cultures and the treatment component included in abm’s detection + elimination bundles.
Follow the product-specific treatment protocol, then retest the culture with a mycoplasma detection kit before returning it to routine experimental use.
View Detection + Elimination BundlesReview standalone detection kits, standalone elimination reagents, and detection + elimination bundles in one place.
| Product | Cat. No. | Product Type | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mycoplasma PCR Detection Kit | G238 | Detection kit | 100 reactions | Inquiry |
| Mycoplasma Pro PCR Detection Kit | G239 | Detection kit | 100 reactions | Inquiry |
| Mycoplasma qPCR Detection Kit | G240 | Detection kit | 100 reactions | Inquiry |
| MycOut™ 1000X – Culture Guard | G7001 | Elimination reagent | 2 x 1.0 ml | Inquiry |
| MycoAway™ 1000X Mycoplasma Cocktail | G398 | Elimination reagent | 1.0 ml | Inquiry |
| Mycoplasma PCR Detection & Elimination Bundle | G238-G398 | Detection + elimination bundle | Bundle | Inquiry |
| Mycoplasma Pro PCR Detection & Elimination Bundle | G239-G398 | Detection + elimination bundle | Bundle | Inquiry |
| Mycoplasma qPCR Detection & Elimination Bundle | G240-G398 | Detection + elimination bundle | Bundle | Inquiry |
Review PCR and qPCR specifications, performance data, elimination choices, bundles, and common questions before choosing your workflow.
| Compare | G238 | G239 | G240 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best suited for | Routine, cost-effective screening | Standard PCR with internal control | Sensitive, gel-free screening |
| Detection method | PCR + gel | PCR + gel | Real-time qPCR |
| Target coverage | 200+ Mycoplasma | 300+ Mycoplasma & Acholeplasma | 400+ Mycoplasma & Acholeplasma |
| Internal control | No | Yes | No |
| Sample preparation | No DNA isolation | No DNA isolation | Dilution only |
| Gel electrophoresis | Required | Required | Not required |
| Instrument | Standard PCR | Standard PCR | Compatible real-time PCR |
| Time to results | <2 hours | <2 hours | <2 hours |
G238 detected approximately 10 to 100,000 Mycoplasma genome copies, with a 450 bp positive band.
The 180 bp internal PCR control helps distinguish a genuine negative result from a failed reaction.
A tenfold dilution series from 107 to 1 copy produced a highly linear standard curve with no amplification in the no-template control.
| Compare | MycOut™ G7001 | MycoAway™ G398 |
|---|---|---|
| Positioning | Second-generation, two-component mycoplasma elimination solution | Established 1000X mycoplasma elimination cocktail |
| Coverage / use | Designed to eliminate 100+ Mycoplasma species, including first-generation-treatment-resistant contaminants | Standalone culture treatment and elimination component in detection + elimination bundles |
| Size | 2 x 1.0 ml | 1.0 ml |
| After treatment | Retest the culture with a mycoplasma detection assay before returning it to routine experimental use. | |
Standard PCR detection plus Mycoplasma elimination support.
View BundleInternal-control PCR detection plus Mycoplasma elimination support.
View BundleGel-free qPCR detection plus Mycoplasma elimination support.
View BundleMycoplasma contamination may not cause obvious visual changes, yet it can compromise culture quality and downstream experimental results.
Choose G238 for routine standard PCR screening, G239 when you need an internal PCR control, or G240 for real-time qPCR without gel electrophoresis.
Search the Mycoplasma Kit Finder by species, strain, or identifier.
No DNA isolation is required for G238 or G239. G240 uses dilution-only sample preparation.
G240 uses real-time qPCR and does not require gel electrophoresis.
All three workflows are designed to provide results in less than two hours.
Yes. When a valuable cell line is difficult or costly to replace, MycOut™ or MycoAway™ can be used to support mycoplasma elimination according to the product-specific protocol.
MycOut™ is a second-generation, two-component solution designed to eliminate more than 100 Mycoplasma species, including contaminants resistant to first-generation treatments. MycoAway™ is abm’s established 1000X mycoplasma elimination cocktail and is included in the detection + elimination bundles.
Yes. Retesting helps confirm successful removal before the culture is returned to routine experimental or downstream use.
Yes. A peer-reviewed Journal of Virological Methods study compared the abm PCR Mycoplasma Detection Kit with Sigma VenorGem and Lonza MycoAlert against an ATCC reference assay across 744 virus preparations. In that study, the abm kit had the highest sensitivity and specificity. Read the publication.
Choose a PCR or qPCR detection kit for routine screening, add an elimination option when contamination is found, and retest before returning cultures to routine use.
