[Destroying of antigenicity and influencing the immunochemical reactivity of hepatitis B virus antigens (HBsAg, HBcAg and HBeAg) through disinfectants--a proposed method for testing (author's transl)].

So far, hepatitis B virus cannot be grown in tissue cultures. Consequently, the inactivating effect of disinfectants upon the infectivity of hepatitis B virus could only be insufficiently investigated. Investigations using the only suitable test animal, the chimpanzee, are associated with substantial efforts and high cost and are also limited in their extent. A relatively simple and probably reliable method as test model for disinfectants used in hepatitis B prophylaxis is outlined: the destruction of the antigenicity and the decrease in the immunochemical reactivity of hepatitis B virus antigens (HBsAg, HBcAg and HBeAg). Effects of one alcoholic antiseptic and two peracetic acid containing disinfectants are investigated.