Silicosis laboratory findings
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- There are no specific laboratory tests for the diagnosis of silicosis, except a careful occupational history. When silicosis is suspected due to the onset of respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea and productive cough or typical chest imaging findings, the evaluation is aimed at confirming the exposure history, assessing the degree of respiratory impairment
A complete blood count with differential, granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) antibodies, blood and sputum cultures and brain natriuretic peptide, are helpful in excluding other causes.
- Assessment of oxygenation is important, either with pulse oxygen saturation or arterial blood gas, to determine the severity of respiratory impairment and whether the patient will be able to tolerate diagnostic procedures.
- As mycobacterial infection is often in the differential diagnosis or may develop as a complication, testing for latent tuberculosis via skin test or interferon release assay is often obtained. In addition, sputum smear and culture for mycobacteria are also obtained in the presence of fever, weight loss, hemoptysis, or complicated silicosis on radiographic imaging.