Niridazole (Ambilhar) and three other newly synthesized nitrothiazole derivatives were highly active against 19 microaerophilic campylobacters (minimum concentration required to inhibit 50% of strains [MIC50], 0.0075 to 0.015 mg/liter). There were, however, considerable differences in the susceptibility among strains tested, and one nitrothiazole derivative was rather inactive (MIC50, 2 mg/liter). Nitroimidazole derivatives, such as metronidazole and tinidazole, were less active (MIC50, 2 and 4 mg/liter, respectively). The nitrofuran derivatives, such as nitrofurazone and nitrofurantoin, were also less active (MIC50, 1 mg/liter). Niridazole and another potent nitrothiazole derivative killed the campylobacters rapidly at low concentrations. In contrast, much higher concentrations of metronidazole were required to achieve bactericidal values.