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Rifampicin treatment of canine multidrug-resistant meticillin-resistant staphylococcal pyoderma: A retrospective
Lydia Harbour1, Anthea Schick2, Rebecca Mount3
1Dermatology for Animals, Gilbert, AZ, USA.
Background:
Rifampicin (RFP) is a potential treatment for canine multidrug-resistant (MDR) meticillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS), yet the use of lower doses based on recent MIC data has not been evaluated in vivo.
Hypothesis/Objectives:
To provide information on the efficacy and safety of low-dose range RFP (≤6 mg/kg/day) for the treatment of canine MDR MRS pyoderma.
Animals:
Fifty-one client-owned dogs.
Materials And Methods:
Retrospective review of dogs medical records. Dogs were from 11 US dermatology referral practices and had oral RFP at ≤6 mg/kg/day. Data evaluated included response to treatment, adverse events, and serum changes in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP).
Results:
Complete resolution of pyoderma occurred in 39 of 51 dogs (76.5%). Topical antimicrobials were used concurrently in most cases (47 of 51; 92.2%). ALP elevation >1.5-fold of baseline or the high end of the reference range occurred in nine of 37 (24.3%) dogs, while ALT elevation above baseline and the high end of the reference range occurred in two of 36 (5.6%). Only six of 51 (11.8%) had clinical adverse events during treatment; five of six (83.3%) were mild reactions consisting of lethargy and gastrointestinal signs, while one dog had a possible cutaneous adverse drug reaction. Of those that experienced clinical adverse events, four of six (66.7%) did not have concurrent increased liver enzyme activity, while two of six (33.3%) had elevations in ALP alone.
Conclusions And Clinical Relevance:
Low-dose RFP (≤6 mg/kg/day) appears to be a relatively safe and effective single-agent systemic antibiotic in combination with topical antimicrobials for canine MDR MRS pyoderma.
Insights
Low-dose Rifampicin (RFP) effectively treated canine multidrug-resistant (MDR) meticillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) pyoderma in 76.5% of dogs. This antibiotic showed a good safety profile, making it a viable option for managing resistant skin infections in dogs.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Dermatology
- Antimicrobial Resistance
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Canine multidrug-resistant (MDR) meticillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS) pyoderma presents a treatment challenge.
- Rifampicin (RFP) is a potential therapeutic agent, but low-dose efficacy and safety in vivo remain under-evaluated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy and safety of low-dose Rifampicin (RFP) (≤6 mg/kg/day) for treating canine MDR MRS pyoderma.
- To evaluate adverse events and serum liver enzyme changes associated with low-dose RFP therapy.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 51 client-owned dogs with MDR MRS pyoderma treated with oral RFP (≤6 mg/kg/day).
- Data collected included treatment response, adverse events, and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels.
- Concurrent topical antimicrobial use was noted.
Main Results:
- Complete pyoderma resolution was achieved in 76.5% (39/51) of dogs.
- Most dogs (92.2%) received concurrent topical antimicrobials.
- Mild clinical adverse events (lethargy, GI signs) occurred in 11.8% of dogs; liver enzyme elevations (primarily ALP) were observed in a subset of dogs.
Conclusions:
- Low-dose Rifampicin (≤6 mg/kg/day) demonstrates good efficacy and a favorable safety profile for treating canine MDR MRS pyoderma.
- RFP can be considered a relatively safe and effective systemic antibiotic, particularly when used in conjunction with topical antimicrobials.
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