RE: Should We Use Rifampicin in Periprosthetic Joint Infections Caused by Staphylococci When the Implant Has Been Exchanged? A Multicenter Observational Cohort Study by Kramer et al.

In a retrospective multicenter observational study, the authors investigated the use of rifampicin in periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) caused by Staphylococcus species after implant exchange.A sub-analysis of chronic PJIs that were treated by two-stage exchange arthroplasty demonstrated a lower failure rate during follow-up if rifampicin had been administered, compared with a nonrifampicin group.According to the authors, the benefit was predominantly observed in chronic infections caused by S. aureus.I have some comments on it:Staphylococcus aureus causes a wide range of human diseases.In connection with joints and joint prostheses, this microorganism is mainly associated with acute infections.A relapse or chronic infection with S. aureus generally leads to the formation of subpopulations, designated small-⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯