Talc granulomatosis. A differential diagnosis of interstitial lung disease in HIV patients.

Consumers of adulterated drugs may present with talc-induced interstitial lung disease. A transbronchial biopsy specimen showing granulomas with intracellular talc crystals is necessary to confirm this diagnosis. In patients infected with HIV, such a condition can be indistinguishable at first glance from opportunistic infections or other pulmonary diseases. A case is presented of a seropositive patient whose chest radiographs showed a diffuse interstitial pattern.