Co-existence of tuberculous meningitis and pulmonary tuberculosis in a denim sandblaster

Silicosis is a well-known occupational lung disease that was discovered by the ancient Greeks and Romans. In 2001, it has emerged again in an unexpected occupation: denim sandblasting. Exposure to crystalline silica, with or without clinical disease, is one of the most important predisposing factors for the development of tuberculosis; however, there has been no previous report of tuberculosis among cases of silicosis due to denim sandblasting. Herein, we report the first case of a denim sandblaster with silicosis who developed both pulmonary tuberculosis and tuberculous meningitis.