Assessment of Lung Microbes in Patients with Silicosis: A Comparison with Acid-fast Bacilli-positive and Acid-fast Bacilli-negative Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Silicosis is an occupational progressive fibrotic pulmonary disorder increasing in the era when its pathology is known. Despite a clear understanding of how to prevent this disease, new cases of silicosis continue to occur. Silicosis with tuberculosis (TB) has more failure rates and comorbidities with relationship between the nature of lung microbiota. Materials and Methods: Sixty-three patients were studied to describe the lung microbiome in silicosis patients (acid-fast bacilli [AFB] positive and AFB negative) and the relationship between the nature of lung microbiota and clinical features. Results: Sixty-three subjects were studied, out of which 53 were male and only 10 were female. Twenty-one (33.33%) were found to be AFB positive. 30 (47.62%) had chest pain, 26 (41.27%) had wheeze, 16 (25.4%) had hemoptysis and 32 ( 50.79%) had fever. Conclusion: The prevalence of silico-TB and silicosis is high among sand and stone mine workers, and Gram-negative bacilli were commonly found in silicosis and silicotubercular patients which has more recurrent infections.