Silicosis, a preventable occupational lung disease, is associated with various diseases, including tuberculosis (TB). There is an increased lifelong risk for lung tuberculosis even if exposure to silica dust ceases. That association contributes in a large extent to very high rates of tuberculosis in countries with poor TB and silica exposure control. We report a case of a male with a prior diagnosis of silicosis who was diagnosed with and treated for TB. Anti-tuberculous treatment was extended due to a positive sputum smear in the six th month of treatment. However, the culture of the sputum was negative. This case report highlights the value of thorough screening for tuberculosis in silicotic patients. The clinical management of these patients may be challenging due to frequent overlapping radiological features and uncertain results of TB treatment.
Keywords: dust; exposure; occupational; silicosis; tuberculosis.