A 45-year-old sandblaster presents with progressive breathlessness, bilateral upper-zone nodular opacities on chest X-ray, and an accelerated form of the disease after only 5 years of exposure. He has also been diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis. This combination is termed:
- A Silicotuberculosis ✓
- B Caplan's syndrome
- C Progressive massive fibrosis of coal worker's pneumoconiosis
- D Asbestosis with pleural plaques
Explanation
Silicosis is caused by inhalation of free crystalline silica (SiO₂). It has a well-established association with tuberculosis—the combination is called silicotuberculosis (or silico-TB). Silica particles impair macrophage function and activate NLRP3 inflammasome, creating a favourable environment for M. tuberculosis replication. Accelerated silicosis occurs after higher exposures over 5–10 years. Caplan's syndrome is pneumoconiosis with rheumatoid nodules. Progressive massive fibrosis is coal dust-related (PMF). Asbestosis causes lower-zone fibrosis and pleural changes.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.