The Association Between Pulmonary Tuberculosis and Bronchial Anthracosis

Abstract

Background: Anthracosis is a form of pneumoconiosis induced by frequent contact with smoke from biomass, air pollution, charcoal smoke, or dust particles. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the association between anthracosis and pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 401 patients undergoing bronchoscopy were recruited, and their demographic characteristics, clinical features, bronchoscopy and imaging results, pathologic-cytologic reports, and acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear were recorded and analyzed. Results: The bronchoscopic results of 220 patients (54.9%) were normal, 93 (23.2%) had anthracosis, and 32 patients (8%) had anthracofibrosis. Positive pulmonary TB was significantly higher in patients with anthracosis or anthracofibrosis compared to those without (17.6% vs 4%; odds ratio (OR) = 5.09; P < 0.001). Patients with TB and anthracosis or anthracofibrosis had more prolonged contact with biomass (P = 0.002). Logistic regression showed age (P = 0.003) and the presence or absence of anthracosis or anthracofibrosis (P = 0.006) as associated factors with pulmonary TB. Conclusions: Anthracosis is associated with other pulmonary diseases, including TB; therefore, if anthracosis or anthracofibrosis is diagnosed, coincidental pulmonary TB should also be evaluated.