Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
04:44
Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
Systemic chronic beryllium disease: beyond lung disease
Louis Jouanjan1, Gernot Zissel2, Prerana Agarwal3
1Department of Pneumology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany louis.jouanjan@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
Occupational and Environmental Medicine
|July 30, 2026
Summary
Systemic involvement is common in chronic beryllium disease (CBD) affecting multiple organs, even in workers with occupational beryllium exposure. This highlights the need for awareness of extrapulmonary manifestations in CBD diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Medicine
- Pulmonology
- Immunology
Background:
- Systemic involvement in chronic beryllium disease (CBD) is not well-documented.
- Anecdotal reports suggest potential for widespread organ effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a case series of patients with CBD exhibiting systemic involvement.
- To highlight the diverse occupational settings associated with CBD.
Main Methods:
- Case series of six patients with confirmed CBD.
- Documented occupational beryllium exposure in all cases.
- Diagnosis confirmed by histology and lymphocyte proliferation test.
Main Results:
- All patients had confirmed occupational beryllium exposure and CBD.
- Extrapulmonary organ involvement was present in all six patients.
- Affected organs included hepatic, gastric, neurologic, splenic, ocular, cutaneous, cardiac, and renal systems.
Conclusions:
- CBD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of sarcoidosis in exposed workers, even with extrapulmonary signs.
- Clinicians must maintain awareness of potential systemic and extrapulmonary involvement in CBD patients.
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