Research hotspots and trend analyses of maximum biosafety level pathogens: A bibliometric study using China's 2023 catalogue of pathogens as an example.

Maximum biosafety level laboratories, also known as Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) laboratories are pivotal to advancing basic research and technological innovation for preventing and treating infections caused by maximum biosafety level pathogens. Herein, we conduct a bibliometric analysis to identify global research trends and hotspots in this field, with the aim of guiding future scientific strategy and fostering international collaboration. A total of 604 relevant English publications (1980-2025) from the Web of Science Core Collection were analyzed using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and the bibliometrix R package. The results delineate a two-phase growth pattern: annual publication output transitioned from a prolonged period of slow growth to a sustained high-output plateau following the 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic. Ebola virus is the most frequently studied pathogen, while the Journal of Infectious Diseases is the most prolific journal. Keyword analysis revealed an evolution in research focus from basic research towards applied medical countermeasures, with current priorities centered on evaluating the safety and efficacy of vaccines. The United States emerged as the dominant force, producing the leading institutions, core researchers, and maintained a robust collaborative network with partners like Canada and Germany that significantly outpaced Asian countries. This concentration of research effort, observed within our pathogen cohort, underscores the need for more balanced global cooperation focused on a wider spectrum of maximum biosafety level pathogens.