American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Technologist in Cytogenetics certification (ASCP CG) Practice Test

What is used to reduce mycoplasma contamination in cultures?

1. Antibiotic cocktail

2. BM cycline

3. Chloramphenicol

4. Amphotericin B

The correct answer is: BM cycline

The use of BM cycline is effective in reducing mycoplasma contamination in cultures because it is known to inhibit the growth of mycoplasma, which are very small bacteria that lack cell walls. While traditional antibiotics affecting cell wall synthesis are ineffective against mycoplasma, BM cycline targets their protein synthesis, making it a suitable choice for controlling these contaminants in cell cultures. Other methods or substances mentioned may not specifically target mycoplasma or could be intended for different types of contamination. Antibiotic cocktails might be broad-spectrum but often do not effectively address mycoplasma specifically. Chloramphenicol is another antibiotic but may not offer the specificity needed for mycoplasma, as it affects a wider range of bacteria without pinpointing mycoplasma inhibition. Amphotericin B is antifungal and does not have an effect on bacterial contaminants like mycoplasma. Therefore, BM cycline is the preferred agent in this context, especially in cell culture applications.