title: Rifampicin treatment of canine pyoderma due to multidrug-resistant meticillin-resistant staphylococci: a retrospective study of 32 cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rifampicin has received increased interest in veterinary dermatology because of its activity against multidrug-resistant meticillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS). There is limited knowledge about the efficacy and safety of rifampicin in dogs.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To provide information on response to treatment and adverse effects in dogs treated with rifampicin for multidrug-resistant MRS pyoderma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty two dogs treated with rifampicin for rifampicin-susceptible multidrug-resistant MRS pyoderma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of medical records, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) serum activity levels and total bilirubin concentrations, obtained before and throughout the treatment, was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Oral rifampicin as sole systemic antimicrobial therapy (median dose 5 mg/kg twice daily) was effective in 71.88% of cases. Topical antimicrobials were used in most cases. Median duration of rifampicin treatment was five weeks for superficial pyoderma and four weeks for deep pyoderma. Gastrointestinal signs were reported in 15% of treated dogs. Statistically significant increases of ALT (P = 0.045) and ALP (P = 0.0002) values after 3-4 weeks of treatment was observed. The median increase was equal to 0.3 and ×1.5 the upper limit of the reference ranges for ALT and ALP, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oral rifampicin combined with topical antimicrobials can be considered an effective therapeutic option for canine superficial and deep pyoderma caused by rifampicin-susceptible multidrug-resistant MRS. Liver enzyme induction might be the most important cause of ALT and ALP increase associated with rifampicin therapy in dogs.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Veterinaria Privata San Marco, Via Sorio 114/C, 35141, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Lucia
authors.affiliation: Department de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Mar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bardagi
authors.affiliation: U.O. Qualità, Ricerca Organizzativa e Innovazione, AUSL della Romagna, Via De Gasperi 8, 48121, Ravenna, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fabbri
authors.affiliation: Centre for Small Animal Studies, Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 7UU, UK.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA.
authors.forename: Lluis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ferrer
authors.affiliation: Studio Dermatologico Veterinario, Via G. Sismondi 62, 20133, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Scarampella
authors.affiliation: Istituto Veterinario di Novara, SP 9 28060, Granozzo con Monticello (NO), Italy.
authors.forename: Giordana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zanna
authors.affiliation: Veterinaria Cetego Via M.C. Cetego 20 and Ambulatorio Veterinario Trastevere Viale Glorioso 23, 00153, Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fondati
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D004285:Dogs; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D011711:Pyoderma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012293:Rifampin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D012293:Rifampin