Antimycobacterial activity of 'Virkon'.

The peroxygen-based disinfectant, 'Virkon' (at concentrations of 2, 3 and 4%) was tested against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. avium-intracellulare over exposure times ranging between 30 and 120 min. Two test procedures were used: (a) a standard plate method, (b) a method incorporating the use of the 'Bactec' 460 radiometric system to chart bacterial growth following exposure to 'Virkon'. In our hands and under the conditions of the two test methods, 'Virkon' did not produce a satisfactory kill of the test strains over 60 or 120 min.