THE PREVALENCE OF TUBERCULOSIS AMONG PATIENTS WITH SILICOSIS IN THE SOUTHEASTERN PART OF RAJASTHAN, INDIA

Silicosis is a fibrotic lung disease caused by inhalation of free crystalline silicon dioxide or silica.Silicosis is caused by inhalation of respirable particles of crystalline silica (usually quartz). Workers at greatest risk are those who move or blast rock and sand (miners, quarry workers, stonecutters, construction workers) or who use silica-containing rock or sand abrasives (sand blasters, glass makers, foundry, gemstone, and ceramic workers, potters)1.Silicotuberculosis is a condition characterized by the co-existence of silicosis and tuberculosis (TB).