M2-Polarized Macrophages Compose Lupus Vulgaris Arising from a Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Vaccination Site

Abstract

Since bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is an attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis, lupus vulgaris (LV) is reported as one of the rare complications after BCG vaccination, correlating with immunosuppression in the lesional skin. In this report, we describe a case of LV arising from the BCG vaccination site 22 years after vaccination. Interestingly, in the present case, granuloma cells were composed of M2-polarized macrophages. Our case might explain the contribution of M2-polarized macrophages to the biology of LV arising from a BCG vaccination site.

Keywords

• M2-polarized macrophages
• Lupus vulgaris
• Bacillus Calmette-Guérin
• Immunosuppression