In this study, our objective was to explore the potential in vitro synergy between linezolid (LZD) and six other anti-TB drugs in Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains, especially multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) strains. Among the different combinations, the LZD-clarithromycin (CLA) combination showed the best synergism, which was observed in 85% (34/40) of 40 isolates. In addition, one (2.5%) and twentyone (52.5%) of 40 isolates showed synergism for the LZD-levofloxcin (LEV) and LZD-moxifloxacin (MOX) combinations, respectively, and the difference in the proportion of synergy between these two combinations was significantly different (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the percentage of drug synergy against non-MDR group seemed higher than that against MDR group in each combination, while the significant difference was only observed in the LZD-EMB combination (P = 0.046). In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that LZD shows the synergistic activity against both non-MDR and MDR M. tuberculosis strains when in combination with CLA, EMB, MOX, amikacin and clofazimine, indicating that LZD may be considered as a promising component involving the regimen for the treatment of MDR-TB. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.