Given that iron affects helper T cell 1 (Th1) differentiation via modulation of TIM-3 expression and that Salmonella-specific CD4+ Th1 cells are crucial for effective host response against these pathogens, the uncovering of the role of TIM-3 in the immune control of bacterial infection under iron loading conditions would generate important information for the treatment of patients at risk. This evidence concerns the gene HAVCR2 and bacterial infectious disease.