Silica and glomerulonephritis: case report and review of the literature. Am J Kidney Dis 1987 Mar;9(3):224-30
Date
03/01/1987Pubmed ID
3030097DOI
10.1016/s0272-6386(87)80059-8Abstract
A 54-year-old foundry worker with extensive silica exposure, but no pulmonary disease, developed the nephrotic syndrome and renal failure over a 3-month period. Renal biopsy demonstrated a proliferative glomerulonephritis; energy dispersive x-ray analysis detected silicon within the renal tubules. Measurements of respirable silica at the foundry revealed levels up to 2.5 times the current occupational standard. Similar glomerular disease has been reported in silica-exposed animals and workers with silicosis. This case suggests that clinicians should include silica exposure in the differential diagnosis of unexplained diffuse proliferative glomerulonephritis, renal disease may occur without clinically evident pulmonary disease in silica exposure, and silica-induced glomerulonephritis warrants further clinical and epidemiologic research.
Author List
Osorio AM, Thun MJ, Novak RF, Van Cura EJ, Avner EDAuthor
Ellis D. Avner MD Professor in the Pediatrics department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
GlomerulonephritisHumans
Male
Metallurgy
Middle Aged
Occupational Diseases
Silicon Dioxide
