A Case Report of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus Mimicking Skin Infection

December 2025 in “ Reports — Medical Cases Images and Videos ”

Zhenya Stoyanova, Elitsa Hinkova, Filka Georgiеva, Hristo Popov, George Stoyanov

discoid lupus erythematosus chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus alopecia serologic findings histopathologic findings immunosuppressive therapy

TLDR Discoid lupus erythematosus can be mistaken for a skin infection, complicating diagnosis and treatment.

This case report discusses a 38-year-old female patient with discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), a form of chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE) that can lead to scarring and permanent alopecia if untreated. Initially suspected to have a skin infection, the diagnosis of DLE was confirmed through serologic and histopathologic findings after excluding other conditions like fungal and bacterial infections. The case highlights the challenges in diagnosing DLE due to its rarity and broad differential diagnosis. Additionally, it emphasizes the potential complications of immunosuppressive therapy, as the patient developed pulmonary tuberculosis during treatment.

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Research cited in this study

2 / 2 results

research Overview of Common, Rare, and Atypical Manifestations of Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus and Histopathological Correlates

157 citations , August 2010 in “Lupus”

The document concludes that recognizing and treating cutaneous lupus erythematosus early is crucial for managing the skin and potential systemic symptoms.

research Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus

61 citations , March 2009 in “The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine”

Early diagnosis and treatment of discoid lupus erythematosus improve outcomes.

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