Virology Laboratory
The main activities of the Virology Laboratory include:
• Understanding the ecology and emergence of known and novel viruses in Lao PDR;
• Developing countermeasures to diagnose, prevent, or control viral infections;
• Training, education, and capacity building for scientists and technicians from Lao and regional partners to adapt
and establish novel, cutting-edge technologies for outbreak response;
• Providing diagnostic and sequencing support to public health surveillance activities, including for arboviruses,
respiratory viruses, or other (re)-emerging pathogens, to support Lao partners in outbreak investigations.
Our Team
Projects
Reinforced Collaboration
Southeast Asia is well-known as a hotspot for emerging viral diseases, which have included Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Infection (SARSCoV), Avian Influenza H5N1, Nipah, and COVID-19. These viruses are believed to have originated in animals before being transmitted to humans, either directly or through an intermediate host.
Lao PDR, a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, is situated in a region recognized as a hotspot for emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) (Jones K.E., et al. 2008). However, Lao PDR currently lacks a robust EIDs surveillance system and has limited laboratory capacity for the rapid detection of novel emerging viral pathogens. Consequently, it is imperative to establish and reinforce local capabilities for the safe investigation and response to emerging zoonotic viral diseases.
The project, “Reinforced Collaboration for the Investigation and Response to Emerging Viral Pathogens of Security Concern,” is a scientific collaborative effort between the Institut Pasteur du Laos (IPL) in Lao PDR and the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) in Canada, funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC). Following the completion of the initial pilot phase, the project is dedicated to further enhancing sustainable local capacities in Lao PDR for the safe investigation and response to emerging viral pathogens with pandemic potential, thus reducing the biological threats and strengthening the scientific cooperation between Canada and Lao PDR.
To implement the One Health approach, IPL, representing the human health sector, has established collaborative partnerships with local entities in both the animal and environmental sectors, including the Faculty of Environmental Sciences (FES) at the National University of Laos and the National Animal Health Laboratory (NAHL) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. These multi-sectoral partnerships play a vital role in ensuring the widespread delivery of positive changes in capacity and performance, practices or behaviour to a wide range of intermediaries and beneficiaries.
Figure 1: Collaboration and conceptual framework.
The project aims to accomplish the following expected results:
• Enhanced capacity in Lao PDR to monitor for, rapidly detect, and effectively respond to disease events involving especially dangerous pathogens of bioterrorism and bioweapons concern.
• Increased knowledge and awareness among local scientists/community on zoonotic viral pathogens and their safe acquisition, handling, storage, and cataloguing of biological samples.
• Increased biosafety and biosecurity skills, awareness, and application at IPL through the creation of a dedicated biosafety office.
• Strengthened detection, diagnosis, science, and response to emerging viral pathogens by Lao scientists, technicians, and other national stakeholders; and ultimately.
• Reduced risks and threats from emerging infectious zoonotic diseases in Lao PDR and globally
Biosafety and biosecurity. Several activities have been implemented to increase the biosafety and biosecurity level of the institute. These include the nomination of a new scientist as Deputy Biosafety Officer to support the activities related to biosafety and biosecurity, the enrollment of a team member in Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Biobanking program, the installment of a new autoclave to maintain proper safety and waste management standards, and installation of improved Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras to expand the coverage area of surveillance.
Figure 2: Biosafety/biosecurity-related activities.
– Expanded coverage area of a CCTV system
– The installment ofa new autoclave
Local capacity building.
Several Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were revised and improved, sample inactivation workflow for swab and tissue was adjusted according to the new BSL-2 laboratory. The screening protocols of 4 viral groups (coronaviruses, hantaviruses, paramyxoviruses, and flaviviruses) were updated to include the procedure for heatsealing plates. Multiple on-site visits were organized to strengthen the skills of Lao scientists and researchers. This included two NML scientists’ visits to IPL, where training was provided on bioinformatics and ELISA techniques.
Field missions.
The field missions for the year 2025 were conducted in 3 sites, including Kasi district, Vientiane province; Khounkham district, Khammouane province; and Viengthong district, Bolikhamxay province. As of now, a total of 14,291 biological samples were collected. These samples included anal, saliva, and urine swabs, ectoparasites, as well as blood and tissues obtained from bats, rodents, and small mammals. The collection methods involved both live-capture techniques and surveys conducted at local wet markets. Additionally, bat guano (labelled as environmental samples) was collected using plastic sheets.
Figure 3: Number of biological samples collected.
In collaboration with the National Microbiology Laboratory in Canada, we reinforced the biosafety and biosecurity of the BSL-2/3 laboratory, as well as field safety, through standardized operating procedures (SOPs) and the creation of a dedicated biosafety office, establishing an inventory of natural bat and rodent reservoirs for detection of SARS-like-CoVs and other putative zoonotic viral pathogens, and studying interspecies spill-over of these putative zoonotic viral pathogens.
