{ "abstract": "Lyssaviruses cause rabies in mammals, a viral encephalomyelitis that is almost always fatal once clinical symptoms develop and can be transmitted to humans. Given this high fatality rate, strict biosafety measures are essential during laboratory handling of potentially infectious materials. This review critically assesses current biosafety practices in rabies diagnostic and research laboratories by examining principal risk factors, transmission pathways, and the effectiveness of existing preventive measures. We conducted a comprehensive review of the literature on biosafety risks associated with handling rabies virus and related lyssaviruses, including the use of personal protective equipment, sample handling procedures, and chemical and physical methods for virus inactivation. Particular attention was given to documented cases of laboratory-acquired rabies and their implications for laboratory safety. Although laboratory-acquired infections remain rare, their occurrence highlights important gaps in current biosafety practices. The effectiveness of disinfection and inactivation methods varies widely, especially in resource-limited settings, and key diagnostic procedures, such as the direct fluorescent antibody test, require validation under biosafety constraints. Significant knowledge gaps remain regarding infectious dose, the effectiveness of decontamination methods, and diagnostic standardisation. Strengthening evidence-based biosafety protocols and validating inactivation methods are essential to ensure safer rabies diagnostics and to support effective rabies control, particularly in low-resource settings. Author summary: Rabies is a viral disease that is almost always fatal once symptoms develop and remains neglected in many parts of the world where laboratory resources are limited. Diagnostic and research work involving rabies virus and related lyssaviruses requires handling potentially infectious materials, placing laboratory staff at risk if appropriate biosafety measures are not in place. Although international guidance exists, many recommendations are based on limited evidence and may be difficult to apply in low-resource settings.", "abstract_shown": true, "affiliations": [ "Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand", "Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom", "Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Food and Agriculture Organization/National Reference Centre for Rabies and World Organisation for Animal Health Reference Laboratory for Rabies, Legnaro, Padua, Italy", "Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome, Italy" ], "article_type": "Review", "arxiv": null, "author_total": 4, "authors": [ { "affs": [ 0 ], "name": "Stuart D. Blacksell" }, { "affs": [ 1 ], "name": "Khanh Kim Le" }, { "affs": [ 2 ], "name": "Paola De Benedictis" }, { "affs": [ 3 ], "name": "Morgane Gourlaouen" } ], "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/d5mggjb1t5qtq.bib", "cited_by": 0, "doi": "10.1371/journal.pntd.0014757", "fulltext_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0014757", "id": "d5mggjb1t5qtq", "issns": [ "1935-2735" ], "landing_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0014757", "language": null, "licence": "CC-BY-4.0", "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0", "licence_source": "journal", "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/", "metadata_licence": null, "native_subjects": [ [ "openalex", "2406|Rabies epidemiology and control" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Biochemistry/Proteins/Immune system proteins/Antibodies" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Immunology/Immune system proteins/Antibodies" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Microbiology/Medical microbiology/Microbial pathogens/Viral pathogens/Lyssavirus" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Microbiology/Medical microbiology/Microbial pathogens/Viral pathogens/Lyssavirus/Rabies virus" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Microbiology/Virology/Viral vaccines" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Eukaryota/Animals/Vertebrates/Amniotes/Mammals/Bats/Fruit bats" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Viruses/RNA viruses/Lyssavirus" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Viruses/RNA viruses/Lyssavirus/Rabies virus" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Viruses/Viral pathogens/Lyssavirus" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Organisms/Viruses/Viral pathogens/Lyssavirus/Rabies virus" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Physiology/Immune physiology/Antibodies" ], [ "plos", "/Biology and life sciences/Zoology/Animals/Vertebrates/Amniotes/Mammals/Bats/Fruit bats" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Epidemiology/Medical risk factors" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Immunology/Immune system proteins/Antibodies" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Medical conditions/Infectious diseases/Infectious disease control/Vaccines/Viral vaccines" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Medical conditions/Infectious diseases/Viral diseases/Rabies" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Medical conditions/Infectious diseases/Zoonoses/Rabies" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Medical conditions/Tropical diseases/Neglected tropical diseases/Rabies" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Pathology and laboratory medicine/Pathogens/Microbial pathogens/Viral pathogens/Lyssavirus" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Pathology and laboratory medicine/Pathogens/Microbial pathogens/Viral pathogens/Lyssavirus/Rabies virus" ], [ "plos", "/Medicine and health sciences/Public and occupational health/Preventive medicine/Prophylaxis/Pre-exposure prophylaxis" ] ], "openalex": "W7220446137", "pdf_url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0014757&type=printable", "pmcid": null, "pmid": null, "published": "2026-10-05", "publisher": "Public Library of Science", "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/d5mggjb1t5qtq.ris", "sources": [ { "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:37Z", "native_id": "10.1371/journal.pntd.0014757", "source": "plos", "url": "https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0014757" } ], "subjects": [ { "field": "biology", "origin": "plos:immunology", "subfield": "immunology" }, { "field": "biology", "origin": "plos:microbiology", "subfield": "microbiology" }, { "field": "medicine", "origin": "plos:infectious diseases", "subfield": "infectious-disease" } ], "title": "Biosafety of rabies virus and related lyssaviruses: Risks, precautions, and knowledge gaps in diagnostic and research laboratories", "title_text": "Biosafety of rabies virus and related lyssaviruses: Risks, precautions, and knowledge gaps in diagnostic and research laboratories", "type": "peer-reviewed", "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:37Z", "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/d5mggjb1t5qtq", "venue": "PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases", "versions": [] }