Biosafety of rabies virus and related lyssaviruses: Risks, precautions, and knowledge gaps in diagnostic and research laboratories
4 affiliations
- 1Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
- 2Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- 3Istituto 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
- 4Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome, Italy
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.
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BibTeX
@article{blacksell2026biosafety,
title = {{Biosafety of rabies virus and related lyssaviruses: Risks, precautions, and knowledge gaps in diagnostic and research laboratories}},
author = {Stuart D. Blacksell and Khanh Kim Le and Paola De Benedictis and Morgane Gourlaouen},
journal = {PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0014757},
url = {https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0014757},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Biosafety of rabies virus and related lyssaviruses: Risks, precautions, and knowledge gaps in diagnostic and research laboratories
AU - Stuart D. Blacksell
AU - Khanh Kim Le
AU - Paola De Benedictis
AU - Morgane Gourlaouen
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/05
JO - PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases
DO - 10.1371/journal.pntd.0014757
UR - https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0014757
AB - 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.
SN - 1935-2735
ER -