Distinct clinical presentation and prognosis of chronic beryllium disease versus pulmonary sarcoidosis: a national multicentre case–control study

Extract Chronic beryllium disease (CBD) is a granulomatous lung disease caused by a cell-mediated immune response to beryllium exposure [1] and can closely mimic pulmonary sarcoidosis leading to misdiagnosis as up to 6% of patients initially diagnosed with sarcoidosis harbour CBD [1–3]. Because the beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT) is not routinely available, costly, and has limited sensitivity when performed once [4], establishing a clinical suspicion of CBD is essential. Indeed, exposure is often unrecognized by patients and may be difficult to identify, including in occupational settings [5].