ABSTRACT
There is a bidirectional interplay between iron status and infection, such that the iron status may modify the risk and outcome of some infections. Reciprocally, infection influences iron status and may result in the anemia of chronic disease (1-6), also known as the ‘‘anemia of inflammation.’’ This chapter on the bidirectional interplay between iron and infection will focus on two infections, tuberculosis and HIV, which are recognized internationally as leading health problems. When a few years ago, the United Nations for the first time devoted a full session to world health issues and decided to combat major infectious diseases worldwide, they prioritized HIV infection, tuberculosis, andmalaria. This decision resulted
in the creation of the United Nations Global Fund to combat these infections.
