Tehran University Medical Journal

Introduction: Occupational exposure to carbon, silica, and quartz, particles are known predisposing factors for bronchial anthracosis. In some cases bronchoscopy may reveal anthracosis infection to be associated with mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Materials and Methods: In a prospective study, from 1999 and 2001, 919 patients underwent diagnostic bronchoscopy for pulmonary diseases.

Results: Of these, 96 patients had some evidence of anthracosis infection. Twenty-six (27%) of these patients had positive smears or cultures for mycobacterium tuberculosis and only eight (8.3%) patients with positive history of occupational exposure. In the other 70 patients 29 had previous occupational exposure, and 41 stated no previous exposure.

Conclusion: Our findings show a significant association of tuberculosis with anthracosis however further studies are needed to document an etiologic relationship.