Respiratory · UKMLA & AKT
Berylliosis
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test, covering how to recognise this condition. The full SA Note notes add investigations, management and complications, with practice questions on this topic.
Key high-yield points
- Rare occupational lung disease caused by inhaled beryllium (dust/fumes) - used in aerospace, nuclear, and dental industries
- Two forms: acute beryllium disease (toxic chemical pneumonitis - heavy short-term exposure) and chronic beryllium disease (CBD) (granulomatous, immune-mediated - far more clinically significant)
- Pathophysiology of CBD: type IV (delayed-type) hypersensitivity - beryllium acts as a hapten → CD4+ T-cell sensitisation → macrophage activation → non-caseating granuloma formation → progressive fibrosis
- HLA-DP beta-1 glutamate-69 allele confers genetic susceptibility
- Prescribed occupational disease in the UK - industrial injuries benefit may apply
Unlock the full Berylliosis revision
Get the complete high-yield notes (6 more sections covering investigations, management and complications), practice questions, mock exams and Sal, the AI tutor. Start free.