The Development of a Microbial Challenge Test with Acholeplasma laidlawii To Rate Mycoplasma-Retentive Filters by Filter Manufacturers

Mycoplasma are small bacteria that have the ability to penetrate sterilizing-grade filters. Filtration of large-scale mammalian and bacterial cell culture media is an example of an industry process where effective filtration of mycoplasma is required. The Parenteral Drug Association recognized the absence of industry standard test parameters for evaluating mycoplasma clearance filters by filter manufacturers and formed a task force to formulate such a consensus among manufacturers. The use of standardized test parameters by filter manufacturers, including the preparation of the culture broth, will facilitate the end user's evaluation of the mycoplasma clearance claims provided by filter vendors. However, it is still important to recognize filter performance will depend on the actual conditions of use; therefore end users should consider, using a risk-based approach, whether process-specific evaluation of filter performance may be warranted for their application.