Emergence of rifampicin-resistant staphylococci on the skin and nose of rifampicin-treated patients with an orthopaedic-device-related infection

Rifampicin is a key antibiotic in the treatment of staphylococcal biofilm infections. In this pilot study, we found that patients who received rifampicin for treatment of an orthopaedic-device-related infection (ODRI) were colonized with rifampicin-resistant staphylococci during treatment and this persisted for up to 2 months after cessation of treatment.