A study was conducted on a new acid peroxygen system based disinfectan
t (Virkon), in order to assess its in vitro efficacy. The chemical was
tested on different bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeru
ginosa, Escherichia coli), spores (Bacillus subtilis) and on the Hepat
itis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and compared in its activity with phen
ol and glutaraldehyde (calculation of the 'phenol coefficient' and the
'glutaraldehyde coefficient'). The constancy of speed of disinfection
, the coefficient of concentration, the minimal inhibitory concentrati
on (MIG) were also determined, and the destruction of the HBsAg antige
nic activity was studied using an ELISA kit. The sporicidal efficacy o
f Virkon was assessed by cultivating spores in agar nutrient after con
tact with different dilutions of the disinfectant. The results of the
tests showed that Virkon has a high concentration coefficient (mean va
lue of k: 0.374/min) and a wide range of action. The low MIC demonstra
tes how little concentrations of Virkon can inactivate all studied bac
teria. The disinfectant was also able to destroy the hepatitis B surfa
ce antigen, and it demonstrated good activity against spores, especial
ly if used in physiologic solution. These characteristics, coupled wit
h the absence of irritation or toxic effects on animals showed by othe
r studies, make wide fields of application for the new disinfectant fo
reseeable.