Rifampin resistance in staphylococci after rifaximin intake for surgical prophylaxis in elective colorectal surgery.

The aim of our study was to determine whether rifampin-resistance emerges in human skin staphylococci after oral intake of rifaximin for surgical prophylaxis. Rifampin-resistant staphylococci appeared on the skin of 32 out of 74 patients (43.2%) two weeks after prophylactic treatment with rifaximin. In all cases the resistant strains were coagulase-negative staphylococci. The resistance was completely reverted after three months. This study shows the emergence of transient resistance to rifampin after rifaximin intake.