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Aims:  To determine the genetic relationship between a random collection of Irish human and poultry Campylobacter isolates and to determine the frequency of antibiotic resistance. Methods and Results:  Sixty‐six Campylobacter isolates (34 human and 32 poultry) were typed by restriction fragment length polymorphism of flagellin‐A (flaA) PCR products (flaA‐RFLP) and by sequencing of the short variable region of flaA (flaA‐SVR). FlaA‐RFLP identified 58 distinct profiles, while flaA‐SVR identified 28 different alleles. The highest level of antibiotic resistance was found for ampicillin (48·5%) followed by nalidixic acid (42·2%) and ciprofloxacin (31·8%). In general, poultry isolates displayed a higher incidence of resistance to the antimicrobials tested than the human isolates. Conclusions:  A high level of genetic diversity existed among the Campylobacter strains confirming the weak clonality of this species. There was no relationship between antimicrobial resistance and specific genotypes determined by flaA typing suggesting that resistance was due to pressures of antimicrobial therapy. Significance and Impact of the Study:  This study emphasizes the need for increased surveillance of antimicrobial susceptibility among Campylobacter isolates in Ireland and the implementation of more stringent control policies relating to the use of antimicrobials in the poultry industry.

The present study aims to investigate the bactericidal activity (specifically antistaphylococcal) of Inula helenium. The antimicrobial activity of the extract is tested against 200 clinically significant Irish Staphylococcus aureus isolates consisting of methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and -sensitive (MSSA) S. aureus using a drop test method and a microbroth dilution method. The antibacterial effect is evaluated by measuring the area of the inhibition zone against the isolates. Results proved I. helenium to be 100% effective against the 200 staphylococci tested, with 93% of isolates falling within the ++ and +++ groups. The minimum bactericidal concentration of I. helenium was examined on a subset of isolates and values ranged from 0.9 mg/mL to 9.0 mg/mL. The extract was equally effective against antibiotic-resistant and -sensitive strains. This plant therefore possesses compounds with potent antistaphylococcal properties, which in the future could be used to complement infection control policies and prevent staphylococcal infection and carriage. This research supports other studies wherein herbal plants exhibiting medicinal properties are being examined to overcome the problems of antibiotic resistance and to offer alternatives in the treatment and control of infectious diseases.

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