Data on the role of iron in host-bacterium interaction in relation to virulence are summarized. Attention is focused on host iron acquisition pathways in bacteria. Host iron can be acquired by several mechanisms, e.g. from hemoglobin degradation products such as heme and hemin, directly from ferrated transferrin and lactoferrin, indirectly from iron binding proteins by the production of siderophores and from intracellular iron stores (ferritin). Regulation of iron uptake is discussed.

        Key words: iron – bacteria – host – virulence.