The significant role played by vimentin in virus-induced infection is well established as follows: (1) vimentin has been reported as a coreceptor and/or attachment site for SARS-CoV; (2) vimentin is involved in viral replication in cells; (3) vimentin plays a fundamental role in both viral infection and the consequent explosive immune-inflammatory response; and (4) a lower vimentin expression is associated with the inhibition of epithelial to mesenchymal transition and fibrosis. The gene discussed is VIM; the disease is infection.