Silicosis: A Fertile Soil For Tuberculosis
Md. Shafiul Azam Quadry1, Bulbul Parveen1, Syed Nesar Ahmed1, Md. Khairul Hassan Jessy2, Jalal Mohsin Uddin3, Romal Chowdhury1, Mofazzal Haider Siddique1, Salahuddin Anach1
Abstract
Silicosis, the most prevalent form of the pneumoconioses, is caused by inhalation of crystalline silica
particles. Silica-exposed workers are at increased risk for tuberculosis and other mycobacterium related
diseases. The risk of developing tuberculosis in a patient with silicosis is higher than that found in healthy
controls. The risk of a patient with silicosis developing extra pulmonary tuberculosis is also as much as 3.7
times higher than in healthy controls. We report a case of silicotuberculosis in a 24 years old lady,
presenting with cough, shortness of breath and generalized lymphadenopathy which was improved after
prolonged anti-mycobacterial polychemotherapy with steroid.
Keywords: Silicosis, Tuberculosis, Pneumoconiosis, Lymphadenopathy, Disseminated Tuberculosis