The differential diagnosis for<unk>  includes: * Sarcoidosis * Granulomatous lung diseases * Tuberculosis * Fungal infections (e.g., histoplasmosis) * Granulomatosis with polyangiitis * Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis * Hypersensitivity pneumonitis * Asthma Of these possibilities,<unk>  presents most similarly to sarcoidosis. Some studies suggest that up to 6% of all cases of sarcoidosis are actually<unk> . Definitive diagnosis of<unk>  is based on history of beryllium exposures, documented beryllium sensitivity and granulomatous inflammation on lung biopsy. Given the invasive nature of a lung biopsy, diagnosis can also be based on clinical history consistent with<unk> , abnormal chest x-ray or CT scan findings, and abnormalities in pulmonary function tests. Establishing beryllium sensitivity is the first step in diagnosis. The beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT) is the standard way of determining sensitivity to beryllium. The test is performed by acquiring either peripheral blood or fluid from a bronchial alveolar lavage, and lymphocytes are cultured with beryllium sulfate. Cells are then counted and those with elevated number of cells are considered abnormal. Those exposed persons with two abnormal BeLPT tested with peripheral blood, or one abnormal and one borderline result, are considered beryllium sensitized. Also, those with one abnormal BeLPT tested with fluid from a bronchial alveolar lavage are considered sensitized. Chest radiography findings of<unk>  are non-specific. Early in the disease radiography findings are usually normal. In later stages interstitial fibrosis, pleural irregularities, hilar lymphadenopathy and ground-glass opacities have been reported. Findings on CT are also not specific to<unk> . Findings that are common in CT scans of people with<unk>  include parenchymal nodules in early stages. One study found that ground-glass opacities were more commonly seen on CT scan in<unk>  than in sarcoidosis. In later stages hilar lymphadenopathy, interstitial pulmonary fibrosis and pleural thickening. Classification<unk>  is an occupational disease. Relevant occupations are those where beryllium is mined, processed or converted into metal alloys, or where machining of metals containing beryllium and recycling of scrap alloys occurs. It is associated with aerospace manufacturing, microwave semiconductor electronics, beryllium mining or manufacturing of fluorescent light bulbs (which once contained beryllium compounds in their internal phosphor coating). Beryllia was used in lamp manufacture because of ceramic's obvious virtues for insulation and heat resistance, and also because beryllia could be made transparent. Certain welding anodes along with other electrical contacts and even non-sparking tools are made of beryllium copper alloy and the subsequent machining of such materials would cause the disease as well.
Berylliosis
Baritosis
Metastrongylosis
Tungiasis
Acanthocheilonemiasis
Naegleriasis
Necatoriasis
Sulfatidosis