Rifamycin resistance, rpoB gene mutation and clinical outcomes of Staphylococcus species isolates from prosthetic joint infections in Republic of Korea

•In vitro activities of rifamycins against planktonic and biofilm Staphylococcus spp. isolates from PJIs.•rpoB gene mutations were analysed and clinical outcomes of rifampicin-resistant isolates were characterised.•Isolates comprised 85 S. aureus (55% methicillin-resistant) and 25 S. epidermidis (100% methicillin-resistant).•Seven S. aureus isolates and two S. epidermidis isolates were rifampicin-resistant and these exhibited rpoB gene mutations.•Rifamycins other than rifampicin showed promising antistaphylococcal activity, including antibiofilm activity.•Rifampicin-resistant isolates had poor clinical outcomes.