Evaluation of in vitro efficacy of the disinfectant Virkon

Abstract

A study was conducted on a new acid peroxygen system based disinfectant (Virkon), in order to assess its in vitro efficacy. The chemical was tested on different bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli), spores (Bacillus subtilis) and on the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and compared in its activity with phenol and glutaraldehyde (calculation of the 'phenol coefficient' and the 'glutaraldehyde coefficient'). The constancy of speed of disinfection, the coefficient of concentration, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) were also determined, and the destruction of the HBsAg antigenic activity was studied using an ELISA kit. The sporicidal efficacy of Virkon was assessed by cultivating spores in agar nutrient after contact with different dilutions of the disinfectant. The results of the tests showed that Virkon has a high concentration coefficient (mean value of k: 0.374/min) and a wide range of action. The low MIC demonstrates how little concentrations of Virkon can inactivate all studied bacteria. The disinfectant was also able to destroy the hepatitis B surface antigen, and it demonstrated good activity against spores, especially if used in physiologic solution. These characteristics, coupled with the absence of initiation or toxic effects on animals showed by other studies, make wide fields of application for the new disinfectant foreseeable.

Evaluation of in vitro antibacterial activity of some disinfectants on Escherichia coli serotypes.

“…Coates and Wilson (1992) mentioned that Virkon-S at 1% (w/v) had a marked bactericidal action on nonsporulating bacteria. Gasparini et al (1995) found that Virkon-S at a concentration of 1% had a bactericidal action against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and E. coli.…”

“…The results clearly indicate that the efficiency of the disinfectant depends on concentration of the compound and the exposure time. Gasparini et al (1995) found that slight increases in Virkon-S concentration greatly reduced the contact time needed to inactivate the microorganism.…”

Prevalence and Inhibition of Microbial Load on Chicken Eggs with Special References to Egg Quality and Hatchability

“…Figure 2 showed that Virkon-S had a significant reduction on pathogenic load on shell ranged from 94 to 100%, albumen from 92.3 to 100% and yolk from 96.8 to 100%. However, Gasparini et al (1995) found that Virkon-S is effective but the prolonged use may leads to resistant pathogens. This finding coincides with those of Sidhu et al (2002;Moustafa Gehan et al, 2004;Ellen, 2006).…”

Bactericidal efficacy of two disinfectants against Brachyspira hyodysenteriae and one feed supplement against B. hyodysenteriae and B. pilosicoli

“…A rational choice of disinfectants for this purpose should be based on the data on their efficacy in vitro and in the field. Tests of the biocidal activity of peroxygen compounds under such conditions demonstrated their very good efficacy in killing bacteria, fungi, viruses and spores (Gasparini et al, 1995;Gutierrez et al, 1999;Hernandez et al, 2000;Amass et al, 2001). The present study demonstrated very good efficacy of two disinfectants with a mixture of peroxide salts (Virkon S) and potassium peroxomonosulphate (Chirox) as their active ingredients against both tested strains of B. hyodysenteriae.…”