Pneumoconiosis + blastomycosis + coccidioidomycosis Flashcards
(25 cards)
Location and presentation Blastomycosis?
Pulmonary fungal infection that presents as resident of Wisconsin or Indiana with Interstitial infiltrates on CXR + sputum shows broad-based budding yeasts +
hemoptysis/productive cough/SOB + gray-colored
skin lesions (may also cause bone lesions)
Tx for pulmonary blastomycosis?
Tx for disseminated Blastomycosis?
Tx for pulmonary blastomycosis? Itraconazole
Tx for disseminated Blastomycosis? Amphotericin B
Coccidiomyocosis (coccidioides immitis) presentation and location
recent trip to southwestern us + 2-week history of fever, ankle/knee pain, chest pain, and painful, erythematous pretibial nodule (erythema nodsum)
Coccidiomyocosis:
Microscopy finding?
Spherules
Coccidiomyocosis: treatment?
itraconazole
What jobs is asbestosis associated with?
Shipyard workers, construction workers, and electricians
These occupations expose individuals to asbestos, increasing the risk of asbestosis.
Condition associated with asbestosis
It can give rise to
mesothelioma later in life.
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and is linked to asbestos exposure.
Asbestosis histo?
Dumbbell-shape Ferruginous bodies
Ferruginous bodies are indicative of asbestos exposure and are formed by the accumulation of asbestos fibers in the lungs.
Which cell is responsible for initiating pulmonary fibrosis in response to asbestos?
Macrophage
Macrophages play a key role in the immune response and can lead to lung fibrosis when activated by asbestos.
What type of lung pattern does asbestosis cause?
Restrictive lung pattern
A restrictive lung pattern is characterized by reduced lung volume and difficulty in fully expanding the lungs.
Dumbbell-shape Ferruginous bodies
Asbestosis effects
upper or lower lobes?
Lower lobes
Note: all other pneumoconiosis affect upper lobes
“Roofs (asbestosis in roofs) affect lower lobes, ground affects upper”
What is anthracosis commonly known as?
Coal miner’s lung
What is a key visual characteristic of anthracosis?
Black discoloration of the lung
What types of lung conditions can anthracosis be classified as?
Obstructive or restrictive
What is Berylliosis?
A disease caused by occupational exposure to beryllium in the aerospace/aeronautical industry
Berylliosis is characterized by lung inflammation and damage due to inhalation of beryllium particles.
What type of lung pattern does Berylliosis cause?
Restrictive lung pattern
This means that the lung volumes are reduced and the lung capacity is limited.
What can Berylliosis cause in lung tissue?
Granulomas
Granulomas are small clusters of immune cells that form in response to inflammation.
What is Caplan syndrome?
Rheumatoid arthritis + any pneumoconiosis, presenting as pulmonary nodules.
Caplan syndrome is characterized by the formation of nodules in the lungs due to the combination of rheumatoid arthritis and exposure to pneumoconiosis.
What is the clinical relevance of Caplan syndrome?
Patients with RA are at increased risk for developing pneumoconioses if they have a workplace exposure.
This highlights the importance of monitoring individuals with rheumatoid arthritis in occupational settings.
What is silicosis?
Occupational exposure to silicon (sand) in foundry or stone quarry workers
Silicosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling fine particles of silica.
What type of imaging finding can silicosis cause?
Egg-shelf calcifications in upper lobes
This refers to a specific pattern of calcification seen on chest X-rays.
What is a significant risk associated with silicosis?
Increased risk of tuberculosis infections
This is due to compromised lung function and immune response.
What should be avoided in patients with silicosis?
Anti-TNF-a agents (i.e., infliximab, adalimumab, etanercept)
These medications can increase the risk of tuberculosis due to TNF-a suppression (TNF-a needed to suppress/fight TB).
