Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 26, 2026

Use of the Invertebrate Galleria mellonella as an Infection Model to Study the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex
Published on: June 30, 2019
[Silicotuberculosis]
I Elkard1, N Zaghba1, H Benjelloun1
1Service des maladies respiratoires, CHU Ibn Rochd, Casablanca, Maroc.
Objective:
Tuberculosis is a serious and common complication of silicosis. The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiological, clinical, radiological and progressive aspects of this pathological entity.
Patients And Methods:
The study concerns 23 cases of silicotuberculosis which were collected at the service of respiratory diseases at CHU Ibn Rochd of Casablanca, Morocco during 12years (2003-2015).
Results:
All patients were men. They were 7 diggers, 5 rock crushers, 7 miners and 4 masons. The mean duration of silica exposure was 11years. The symptomatology was dominated by dyspnea and persistent bronchial syndrome. Imagery showed tumor-like opacities in all cases, associated with mediastinal calcified lymphadenopathy in 9 cases, with micronodules in 8 cases and an excavated opacity in 2 cases. The diagnosis of tuberculosis was confirmed by isolation of the Koch's bacillus in sputum in 13% of cases in the bronchial aspirate in 52% and culture in sputum post-bronchoscopy in 13%. The bronchial biopsies confirmed the diagnosis in 2 cases. Tuberculosis had complicated silicosis 9years on average after the cessation of exposure to silica in 65% of cases. The antituberculous treatment was started in all patients with good clinical outcome in 22 cases. We had deplored a case of death by acute respiratory failure.
Conclusion:
Silicosis increases the risk of tuberculosis, hence the importance of TB screening in all patients with silicosis.
More Related Videos
10:04Analysis of 18FDG PET/CT Imaging as a Tool for Studying Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection and Treatment in Non-human Primates
Published on: September 5, 2017
09:57System for Efficacy and Cytotoxicity Screening of Inhibitors Targeting Intracellular Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Published on: April 5, 2017
Related Concept Videos
Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis III
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
Pulmonary Tuberculosis V
Latent tuberculosis infection occurs when TB bacteria are present in a person's body, but are not causing illness or symptoms. It is not contagious, and preventive treatment is crucial to avoid the...
Bacterial Phylum Actinobacteria