What Do We Know About Anthracofibrosis? a Literature Review



Jamaati H¹ ; Sharifi A^{1, 2} ; Mirenayat MS¹ ; Mirsadraee M³ ; Amoli K⁴ ; Heidarnazhad H¹ ; Sigari N⁵ ; Saeedfar K¹ ; Kahkouee S⁶ ; Toutkaboni MP⁷ ; Mortaz E¹ ; Hashemian SM¹ ; Mohamadnia A⁸ Show Affiliations
Source: Tanaffos Published:2017

Abstract

Recently, the significance of anthracosis in the tracheobronchial tree, lung parenchyma, and even non-respiratory organs has been postulated and discussed in association with other diseases, especially tuberculosis. We reviewed the current literature by using the following key words in Medline/PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar databases: anthracosis, anthracofibrosis, anthracotic bronchitis, biomass fuels, and mixed-dust pneumoconiosis. The bibliographies of eligible papers were also reviewed for further relevant articles. A total of 37 studies were assessed. The content of these studies was then divided into specific categories. Considering the pathogenesis, along with histopathological, radiological, and bronchoscopic results regarding anthracotic lesions, we suggest these findings be defined as “ANTHRACOSIS SYNDROME”. For the first time, we describe a syndrome involving black pigmentation, which was previously thought to involve only the tracheobronchial tree. Until recently, it was not considered to be a single syndrome with different sites of involvement. © 2017 NRITLD, National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Iran.