The tuberculous infectivity of progressive massive fibrosis

The Prevalence of Tuberculosis at Necropsy in Progressive Massive Fibrosis of Coalworkers

“…On account of the many factors which may influence the selection of post-mortem material one cannot draw any firm conclusions from the age distribution of tuberculosis at necropsy as to the association between such tuberculosis and the pneumoconioses during life. Nevertheless, Carpenter, Cochrane, Jarman, and Miall (1956) note the decline of the prevalence of positive sputum with increasing age in cases of massive fibrosis in the Rhondda Fach.…”

Infective Pneumoconiosis due to Anonymous Mycobacteria

“…The origin of P.M.F. is widely held to be tuberculous, but although tubercle bacilli were isolated by Rivers et al (1957) in 35% of cases at necropsy, Carpenter et al (1956) found only 1.7% positive in life. Such findings indicate that tuberculosis is generally terminal and not necessarily causative.…”