J Korean Med Assoc 2008; 51(2): 168 -175 M ultidrug resistant tuberculosis(MDR TB), resistant to at least the two main TB drugs isoniazid and rifampicin, has been a threat to TB control because the treatment requires more toxic drugs and longer period with poor treatment outcomes. Recently, more serious concerns have been raised about extensively drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR TB), which shows resistance to fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides in addition to isoniazid and rifampicin. XDR TB

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... a serious global health threat because the cure is very difficult as few sensitive anti TB drugs remain. XDR TB develops when first and second line anti TB drugs are misused during the course of treatment, most commonly due to poor compliance of the patients to the treatment regimen. People with XDR TB can pass the XDR TB bacteria to other people. Thus, every effort should be made to prevent the development of XDR TB by establishing an effective TB control program maximizing patient adherence to prescribed anti TB regimen and minimizing contact of XDR TB patients with other people to prevent the spread of XDR TB. Abstract Extensively Drug Resistant Tuberculosis