Lupus Vulgaris on Face: A Case Report From Rural Nepal

Lupus vulgaris (LV), the most common form of cutaneous tuberculosis, results from Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection via hematogenous, lymphatic, or direct transmission in individuals with moderate immunity and high tuberculin sensitivity. It predominantly affects females, constituting 1%-2% of extrapulmonary tuberculosis cases, with facial and neck involvement being most frequent. We report a case of a 66-year-old female from rural Nepal presenting with an 8-month history of a non-itchy, erythematous plaque on the left cheek, diagnosed as LV through clinical, histopathological, and tuberculin test findings. She responded well to a 6-month antitubercular therapy regimen providing a strong message that LV should be considered in chronic, nonhealing facial lesions, especially in endemic areas.