Ureaplasma Contamination Rate in Donated Cord Blood Units

Roh, Eun Youn; Shin, Sue; Yoon, Jong Hyun; Chang, Jee Young

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Ureaplasma is one of the most common microorganisms in the genital tract, and also one of the most important contaminants in cell culture laboratories and cell banks. We analyzed the Ureaplasma contamination rate in donated cord blood units (CBUs) before cell processing.
METHODS
One hundred fifty-one donated CBUs with informed consent collected between 3 November and 28 December 2006 were randomly selected and enrolled for study. All of the CBUs were obtained from full-term (37~42 weeks gestation) deliveries. We performed blood cultures and Ureaplasma DNA PCR assays using samples from the collection bags before processing.
RESULTS
Two CBUs had positive blood culture results; however, Ureaplasma DNA was not found in the samples tested.
CONCLUSION
The contamination rate of Ureaplasma in the donated CBUs from full-term deliveries without gestational and/or perinatal complications was extremely low. With the results of our previous Mycoplasma contamination assay (0%), donated CBUs can be used in culture and expansion processes without concerns for pre-processing mollicute contamination.