in 2000 primary INH resistance in immigrants was reported to be 9.4%. In a survey of patients referred to the General Hospital of Verona from January 2000 to June 2003, among 231 isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, 28 of 41 of strains (68.3%) resistant to at least one antituberculosis drug were from immigrants (23.9% of cases in this category of patients). Overall resistance to INH was detected in 23 strains (9.9%); 60.8% of these were isolated in immigrants from the African continent (mainly Senegal, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria) who were infected by INH-resistant strains in 22.2% of cases. These data highlight that in the area of Verona, the INH resistance rate among immigrants is much higher compared to the national level. Therefore, the use of INH as LTB treatment could be inadequate in nearly one of four African immigrants. We believe that it is essential to evaluate the origin of immigrants in a specific area while preparing national and local guidelines for LTB treatment because of the possibility of different resistance patterns. Considering the high level of INH resistance in some endemic areas, regimens including rifampin should be recommended. Nevertheless, following the recent withdrawal of the RZ regimen in the United States, new options for LTB treatment are urgently needed. In the meantime, based on a cost-effectiveness evaluation, we would suggest that in young immigrants from high tuberculosis prevalence countries with known high INH resistance, especially if at increased risk, such as HIV-positive subjects, RZ could be still considered in absence of any hepatopathy.