The high Gdf15 expression observed during infection in Ank1Ity16/Ity16 mutant mice could be explained by the progression of anemia and expansion of the erythroid compartment, by the high expression of cytokines induced by infection with Salmonella or as a consequence of intracellular iron deprivation due to low levels of Hamp expression. This evidence concerns the gene GDF15 and infection.