This is a real-world medical entrance exam question, please give the true answer based on the question and selection. Topic name: Respiratory system, Subject name: Anatomy
All of the following statements about silicosis are true except 
Select and explain. 
A. Pleural plaques, B. Prediliction for upper lobes, C. Calcific hilar lymphadenopathy, D. Associated with tuberculosis
A: Pleural plaques
Answer: A: Pleural plaques 
Explanation: With long-term, less intense exposure, small rounded opacities in the upper lobes may appear on the chest radiograph after 15-20 years of exposure, usually without associated impairment of lung function (simple silicosis). Calcification of hilar nodes may occur in as many as 20% of cases and produces a characteristic "eggshell" pattern. Because silica is cytotoxic to alveolar macrophages, patients with silicosis are at greater risk of acquiring lung infections that involve these cells as a primary defense (Mycobacterium tuberculosis, atypical mycobacteria and fungi). Because of the increased risk of active tuber-culosis, the recommended treatment of latent tuberculosis in these patients is longer. Ref Harrison 19th edition pg 1690