An improved method of eliminating fungal contamination from monolayer cell cultures

A method is described for eliminating fungal and other forms of contamination from valuable monolayer cell cultures. The method employs the following sequence of operations: several changes of medium, trypsinization and removal of cells to coverglasses in appropriate tubes with medium plus amphotericin B (Fungizone) or other antibiotic, removal of coverglasses to new tubes with medium plus antibiotic, and removal in a few days to a new culture vessel without antibiotic. If microorganisms do not show up in 3–5 days, they have been eliminated. Greater success is achieved by using the same method with coverglass fragments in small culture wells.