@ERSpublicationsNew experimental evidence on anti-TB regimes based on low-efficacious linezolid dosage to treat XDR-TB patients http://ow.ly/C9YpZThe figures provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) in its 2013 global tuberculosis (TB) report are remarkable; TB continues to represent a significant clinical and public health problem worldwide [1]. The successes obtained by implementing and scaling-up the WHO public health strategies between 1995 and 2012 (i.e. 22 million lives saved and 56 million patients successfully treated) are outstanding. However, in spite of the dramatic decrease in incidence, prevalence and mortality [1] much needs to be done, and the new WHO post-2015 strategy (which is focused on the concept of TB elimination) is providing further guidance [2-4].Among the core factors challenging the TB control and elimination efforts, the most significant are probably the persistent evolution of TB/HIV co-infection and the emergence and spread of drug-resistant TB [1], which has become an unstoppable hurricane [1,5]. The estimated burden of multidrug-resistant (MDR)-TB (i.e. tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains resistant to at least two of the most potent anti-TB drugs, isoniazid and rifampicin) is worrisome. Less than one quarter of the individuals estimated to have MDR-TB were properly diagnosed in 2012; the estimated incidence and mortality are equal to 450 000 and 170 000, respectively.As demonstrated in other infectious diseases, the most significant burden is detected in previously treated rather than newly diagnosed TB cases (∼20% versus 3.6%, respectively). However, in some settings, mainly located in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the proportions are further amplified (up to 50% versus 20%, respectively) [1,[6][7][8]. The detection capacity increased between 2011 and 2012 (42%); although, unfortunately it was not followed by an increased treatment capacity. Out of 94 000 MDR-TB patients identified in 2012 only 82% (equivalent to 77 000 patients) were exposed to (appropriate) regimens. Furthermore, almost 10% of the MDR-TB cohort showed a disease caused by M. tuberculosis strains characterised by a worse resistance pattern, known as extensively drug-resistant (XDR)-TB (i.e. MDR-TB with further resistance to any fluoroquinolones and at least one injectable second-line drug, amikacin, capremycin or kanamycin). Its geographical distribution is almost global (at least one case in 92 countries in 2012) [1]. Whenever there was diagnostic capacity it has been inevitably detected.If we look at the treatment outcomes of these cases, the picture is even worse. Only 48% of the individuals with MDR-TB belonging to the 2010 cohort were successfully treated worldwide (i.e. microbiologically cured or completed treatment alone), whereas hundreds of patients died or defaulted. Only 31.8% (34 out of 107) of countries reported an expected treatment success rate ≥75% among their notified MDR-TB cases [1,9].