Danger Dust

MPA is a necrotizing vasculitis without immune deposit accumulation, and it progresses with small vessel involvement. Necrotizing arteritis, rapidly progressive pauci-immune GN, and pulmonary capillaritis or alveolar hemorrhage are common, and granulomatous inflammation is not usually present.

It is accepted that environmental factors, such as exposure to Staphylococcus aureus; the drugs hydralazine, minocycline, propylthiouracil, levamisole-adulterated cocaine, allopurinol, or rifampicin; or the toxins lead mercury and silica can trigger the emergence of ANCA-associated vasculitis

Conclusion

Considering that the use and therefore frequency of exposure to silica is increasing with industrial development, awareness should be raised of not only the pulmonary effects of silicosis but also the renal damage. Silica exposure should be avoided, especially in patients with a familial history of autoimmune diseases, as in our patient. In individuals who cannot avoid exposure, routine screenings for renal function should be conducted in addition to other systemic screenings and algorithmic evaluation that should be performed.