BCG vaccine-induced lupus vulgaris

A case of intradermal BCG vaccination was complicated by a lupus-like tuberculosis cutis progressive for over 30 years. The patient had been vaccinated twice with BCG in the affected site. A review of other BCG vaccine-induced cases of lupus vulgaris indicates that the incidence of this complication is markedly increased following multiple BCG vaccinations, but is rare following a single BCG vaccination. In our patient a skin biopsy specimen was characteristic for lupus vulgaris. Acid-fast stains from the tissue and cultures from the affected site were negative. The patient was successfully treated with rifampin.