A clonal outbreak of rifampicin-resistant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in an intensive care unit

All screening and clinical MRSA isolates from the ICU since this cluster have displayed susceptibility to rifampicin. Resistance to rifampicin may occur via single-step resistance during rifampicin monotherapy or possibly with the use of venous catheters impregnated with rifampicin, although this was not the case in this outbreak. This outbreak of rifampicin-resistant MRSA is an indication of the emerging problem that multidrug-resistant S. aureus pose, and reminds both clinicians and infection control staff to be vigilant in identifying these outbreaks and preventing their spread.