Additionally, suggesting a detrimental role for HO-1 in melioidosis, Nithichanon et al. reported that the enhanced susceptibility of patients with beta-thalassemia to B. pseudomallei infection is associated with an excess of hemin, which induces expression of high levels of HO-1 and consequently impairs their capacity to control infection [207]. This evidence concerns the gene HMOX1 and beta thalassemia.