Iron is an essential micronutrient for virtually all living cells. In infectious diseases, both
invading pathogens and mammalian cells including those of the immune system require iron
to sustain their function, metabolism and proliferation. On the one hand, microbial iron
uptake is linked to the virulence of most human pathogens. On the other hand, the
sequestration of iron from bacteria and other microorganisms is an efficient strategy of host
defense in line with the principles of 'nutritional immunity'. In an acute infection, host-driven …