2003a). Moreover, in absence of BAX, infected MEFs appeared to die more frequently by necrosis (Perfettini et al. 2003a). Consistently, in BAX-deficient mice, infection was cleared faster, but signs of enhanced inflammation and tissue damage were observed (Perfettini et al. 2003a). Based on these findings, it was suggested that BAX-mediated host cell death, compared with host cell necrosis, provides a more efficient and silent mode of spread by promoting uptake of dying infected cells through phagocytosis and by avoiding release of DAMPs (Perfettini et al. 2003a). This evidence concerns the gene BAX and infection.