We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Medicine

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is Rifampicin Resistance?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 2,985
Share

Rifampicin resistance allows bacteria to survive treatment with this antibiotic due to mutations in their genetic code. Patients who take the drug to treat an infection will not be able to achieve complete control of the infection because some bacteria will persist. In the lab, rifampicin resistance can create problems with bacterial cultures, because it allows organisms to survive on plates treated with the antibiotic to prevent the growth of some species. The phenomenon of antibiotic resistance has important implications for medical research and microbiology.

This antibiotic targets Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) polymerase to prevent protein synthesis, killing organisms exposed to it. Over time, bacteria can develop genetic mutations that can eventually make them immune to rifampicin. These may start among a small percentage of the population, but as the length of exposure to the antibiotic increases, more and more organisms can resist it. Patients may spread their infection to other people, and the bacteria can exchange genetic information with others to disseminate the resistance through the population.

Tuberculosis is commonly treated with rifampicin, along with Hansen’s disease and some other bacterial infections. Bacteria have varying levels of natural rifampicin resistance which can be amplified with extended antibiotic treatment. Patient compliance can also be an issue; if the patient doesn’t adhere consistently to the drug regimen, it can increase the chances that some resistant organisms survive and live to pass their genes on to others.

To address rifampicin resistance, the drug may be provided in combination with another medication that works differently. This ensures that organisms not killed by one will be mopped up by the other. Medical providers may also request cultures to test for susceptibility before they decide on which drugs to give, in case the bacteria are resistant to multiple drugs. In these cases, other antibiotics from a different family of drugs may be necessary to treat the patient adequately.

In the lab, studies on rifampicin resistance look at how it develops and spreads through colonies. Cultures may be grown with several antibiotics on the plate to see how the bacteria respond. This can allow the researcher to identify resistant organisms for further study, or to determine which antibiotics would be most effective in treatment for a given patient. If bacteria grow aggressively on the section of a plate treated with rifampicin, for example, this indicates the drug would not be effective for the patient’s infection and another drug should be considered.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-rifampicin-resistance.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.