There is increasing evidence that iron overload is associated with increased susceptibility to infection. The precise mechanisms responsible for this susceptibility are still being unravelled. However, abnormalities of immune function, increased virulence of the invading organism and the sudden release of ferritin or tissue iron have all been postulated as being involved. We report the case of a previously healthy 30-year-old man who developed overwhelming Escherichia coli [E. coli] septicaemia in whom a post mortem examination revealed previously undiagnosed haemochromatosis.

CASE HISTORY A previously healthy 30-year-old man was admitted following the onset of right-sided pleuritic chest pain while playing golf. There was an associated cough productive of rust-coloured sputum, dyspnoea and chills. He smoked 30 cigarettes daily and drank about 40 grams of alcohol per week. His alcohol consumption had increased over the two days before admission. There was no past history of note and no family history of liver disease.