Abstract: Compositions useful in methods of treating humans and animals infected with viruses of the retrovirus group contain azoic compounds of the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are indentical or different and each represents an atom of hydrogen or an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon radical comprising from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be bonded together to form a heterocyclic ring with their adjacent nitrogen atom, and R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 may be bonded together to form a heterocyclic ring with their adjacent nitrogen atom; X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 are indentical or different and each represents an oxygen atom or an NR.sup.5 group, wherein R.sup.5 is a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon radical comprising from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a nitro group; and wherein when two NR.sup.5 groups are simultaneously present each R.sup.5 may be indentical to or different from the other.

Abstract: Compositions useful in methods of disinfecting contain azoic compounds of the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are identical or different and each represents an atom of hydrogen or an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon radical comprising from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 are identical or different and each represents an oxygen atom or an NR.sup.5 group, wherein R.sup.5 is a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon radical comprising from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or a nitro group; and wherein when two NR.sup.5 groups are simultaneously present each R.sup.5 may be identical to or different from the other. Compositions containing the azoic compounds in a liquid medium at concentrations of from 35 .mu.gr/ml to 2 mgr/ml are sufficient to impede replication and proliferation of viruses of the retrovirus group yet they are insufficiently toxic to destroy sound human or animal cells which come in contact with the compositions.