What publication provides information on laboratory standards for handling virulent pathogens?

The correct answer is the CDC's Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories. This publication is specifically designed to provide comprehensive guidelines on laboratory safety practices for working with biological agents, including virulent pathogens. It outlines best practices for biosafety levels, laboratory design, and operational procedures to minimize the risk of exposure and ensure the safety of both personnel and the environment when handling infectious agents.

In contrast, the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules primarily addresses the safe handling and use of recombinant DNA technology rather than focusing specifically on virulent pathogens. The Guidelines for the Safe Use of Laboratory Animals emphasize ethical treatment and care standards for laboratory animals, which do not directly pertain to biosafety concerns regarding pathogens. The FDA Laboratory Safety Manual offers regulations and safety practices related to various laboratory settings but does not focus specifically on biosafety for handling virulent pathogens as comprehensively as the CDC guidelines.