Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42796719›Full record

ReviewPathogens (Basel, Switzerland)2026

Biorisk Management in High-Containment Laboratories: Assessment of Certification Systems and Need for Global Standardization.

Anna Rosa Garbuglia, Verdiana Zulian, Silvia Pauciullo, Daniele Lapa

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Anna Rosa GarbugliaLaboratory of Virology and Laboratories of Biosafety, National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani"-IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-2687-8642
Verdiana ZulianLaboratory of Virology and Laboratories of Biosafety, National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani"-IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy.ORCID 0009-0005-8996-4803
Silvia PauciulloLaboratory of Virology and Laboratories of Biosafety, National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani"-IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy.ORCID 0009-0009-7188-7132
Daniele LapaLaboratory of Virology and Laboratories of Biosafety, National Institute for Infectious Diseases "Lazzaro Spallanzani"-IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy.

Funding

European Union 101132215
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Laboratory-acquired infections (LAIs) and accidental pathogen escape from laboratory settings (APELS) are still a significant concern, even with biosafety guidelines and manuals in place. The actual number of these events is probably underestimated because there are no mandatory reporting systems or standard surveillance frameworks. In this review, a clear overview is given about the evolution of biosafety, the worldwide distribution and governance of high-containment laboratories (BSL-3 and BSL-4), and the key factors that lead to laboratory incidents. The focus is specifically on human error, inadequate training, and differences in standard operating procedures as primary causes of biosafety failures. Furthermore, current regulatory frameworks are described, pointing out the lack of consistency in laboratory practices, infrastructure needs, and national policies, especially the variances in biosafety level recommendations for high-risk pathogens. Certification systems as potential tools to improve standardization and consistency in operations are discussed. Among these, ISO 35001 is a detailed standard for managing biorisks, including risk assessment, staff training, incident reporting, and processes for ongoing improvement. However, its use is still limited, and certification is not mandatory for laboratory licensing everywhere. Additionally, existing standards do not fully cover structural aspects and national differences in how pathogens are handled. This review also highlights the limitations of current certification systems and proposes recommendations to strengthen and harmonize standardization procedures across high-containment laboratories. Overall, this work highlights the need for greater global consistency in biosafety practices, suggesting the establishment of an independent international auditing body as an important step toward enhancing global health security and laboratory readiness.

Indexed as

CertificationContainment of BiohazardsLaboratoriesLaboratory InfectionHumansaccreditationbioriskbiosafetybiosecurityBSL-3BSL-4certificationhigh-containment laboratoriesstandardization

Identifiers

PMID42796719
PMCPMC13609949

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.