True rifampicin resistance missed by the MGIT: prevalence of this pheno/genotype in the UK and Ireland after 18 month surveillance

Rifampicin resistance is missed by the MGIT system. In the UK and Ireland the prevalence of these strains is low. The introduction of routine molecular testing would detect false susceptibility. Further research is needed to ascertain the role of these strains in clinical failure and their prevalence in other settings.