A 45-year-old sandstone quarry worker presents with progressive dyspnoea, cough, and bilateral upper lobe fibrosis on X-ray. He also tests positive for sputum AFB. The co-existence of silicosis and tuberculosis is termed:
- A Caplan syndrome
- B Pneumoconiosis with superinfection
- C Silicotuberculosis ✓
- D Progressive massive fibrosis (PMF) with non-specific bacterial pneumonia
Correct answer: C. Silicotuberculosis
Explanation
The combination of silicosis and tuberculosis is specifically termed silicotuberculosis (or silo-tuberculosis). Silica dust impairs alveolar macrophage function and reduces T-cell mediated immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, increasing susceptibility. Workers exposed to free crystalline silica (quartz) have 2–4 times higher risk of tuberculosis. Caplan syndrome refers to rheumatoid arthritis with coal miners' pneumoconiosis. Progressive massive fibrosis (PMF) describes large fibrotic nodules >1 cm in coal workers' pneumoconiosis.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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