A necrosis of phloem and cambium was found on tobacco plants in Caserta province (Southern Italy). The necrosis affected only cultivars characterized by the hypersensitive reaction to TMV (necrotic local lesions). Necrotic spot appeared after the leaves were reaped, only on the harvested portion of the stalk. Biological, serological tests and immuno-sorbent electron microscopy (ISEM) evidenced that only TMV was associated with the necrosis.