Exploration of the potential common pathogenic mechanisms in COVID-19 and silicosis by using bioinformatics and system biology.

Silicosis is an occupational lung disease that is common worldwide. In recent years, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has provided daunting challenges to public healthcare systems globally. Although multiple studies have shown a close link between COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases, the inter-relational mechanisms between COVID-19 and silicosis remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the shared molecular mechanisms and drug targets of COVID-19 and silicosis. Gene expression profiling identified four modules that were most closely associated with both diseases. Furthermore, we performed functional analysis and constructed a protein-protein interaction network. Seven hub genes (budding uninhibited by benzimidazoles 1 [BUB1], protein regulator of cytokinesis 1 [PRC1], kinesin family member C1 [KIFC1], ribonucleotide reductase regulatory subunit M2 [RRM2], cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 3 [CDKN3], Cyclin B2 [CCNB2], and minichromosome maintenance complex component 6 [MCM6]) were involved in the interaction between COVID-19 and silicosis. We investigated how diverse microRNAs and transcription factors regulate these seven genes. Subsequently, the correlation between the hub genes and infiltrating immune cells was explored. Further in-depth analyses were performed based on single-cell transcriptomic data from COVID-19, and the expression of hub-shared genes was characterized and located in multiple cell clusters. Finally, molecular docking results reveal small molecular compounds that may improve COVID-19 and silicosis. The current study reveals the common pathogenesis of COVID-19 and silicosis, which may provide a novel reference for further research.

Occupational Lung Health: A global problem requiring local awareness.

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Tuberculosis and Silicosis Burden in Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners in a Large Occupational Health Outreach Programme in Zimbabwe.

Artisanal and small-scale miners (ASMs) labour under archaic working conditions and are exposed to high levels of silica dust. Exposure to silica dust has been associated with an increased risk of tuberculosis and silicosis. ASMs are highly mobile and operate in remote areas with near absent access to health services. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of tuberculosis, silicosis and silico-tuberculosis among ASMs in Zimbabwe. A cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 October to 31 January 2021 on a convenient sample of 514 self-selected ASMs. We report the results from among those ASMs who attended an outreach medical facility and an occupational health clinic. Data were collected from clinical records using a precoded data proforma. Data variables included demographic (age, sex), clinical details (HIV status, GeneXpert results, outcomes of chest radiographs, history of tuberculosis) and perceived exposure to mine dust. Of the 464 miners screened for silicosis, 52 (11.2%) were diagnosed with silicosis, while 17 (4.0%) of 422 ASMs were diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB). Of the 373 ASMs tested for HIV, 90 (23.5%) were sero-positive. An HIV infection was associated with a diagnosis of silicosis. There is need for a comprehensive occupational health service package, including TB and silicosis surveillance, for ASMs in Zimbabwe. These are preliminary and limited findings, needing confirmation by more comprehensive studies.

Case Series: Hypercalcemia From Granulomatous Silicosis Developing After COVID-19 Infection.

Hypercalcemia is one of the most commonly encountered laboratory abnormalities in clinical medicine. Various causes have been well established. However, it is likely that the novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), may be a newly found cause of this frequent finding, especially amongst those with a history of cosmetic surgery, specifically by means of silicone injection. In this case series, we describe 2 patients presenting with symptomatic hypercalcemia likely from their prior silicone injections. Interestingly, each patient only developed symptoms of hypercalcemia following infection with SARS-CoV-2.

COVID-19: a new burden of respiratory disease among South African miners?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Mineworkers in South Africa experience a triple burden of disease due to their distinct work experience. Silicosis increases their risk of tuberculosis (TB), exacerbated by the HIV epidemic. Work-related factors are likely to increase transmission, severity, and post infection sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Understanding these relationships is important to control the impact of the epidemic. RECENT FINDINGS: SARS-CoV-2 infection rates among mineworkers exceed the population rates in the provinces in which those mines are located. Migrant work, living in crowded hostels, working in narrow poorly ventilated shafts mainly underground constitute important factors that increase transmission risk. Mineworkers continue to experience high levels of silica exposure. The prevalences of silicosis, HIV and pulmonary TB, remain high. Interstitial lung disease, pulmonary TB, and HIV have all been associated with poorer outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Mineworkers with post infection respiratory sequelae are likely to lose their jobs or lose income, due to the physically demanding nature of underground minework. SUMMARY: Further research into the unique work-related risk factors in mining that influence the COVID-19 epidemic is crucial for optimizing current interventions. Reducing SARS-CoV-2 infection transmission, health monitoring of infected and vulnerable workers, and following up of postinfection outcomes is essential to protect the respiratory health of miners.