From occupational asthma to pulmonary tuberculosis to systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma: A case report

Abstract

Systemic sclerosis is a chronic multisystem autoimmune disease of unknown cause that affects the skin and internal organs of the body. It occurs worldwide but has racial and ethnic differences in terms of presentation, blacks tend to have a more diffuse cutaneous presentation. Although genetics plays a significant role in its occurrence, environmental factors including exposure to silica dust, radiation, adulterated rapeseed oil and drugs like bleomycin have also been implicated. It is characterized by progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs which is often preceded by inflammation and vasculopathy. We present a case of a 34-year-old poultry farmer who presented with systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma who had initially been misdiagnosed as having occupational asthma and was already on treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis.