Suspected Herpes Zoster-associated Encephalitis during Treatment with Oral Tofacitinib in Alopecia Universalis

Systemic administration of Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKis) is associated with adverse events, including serious infections, malignancy, and herpes zoster (HZ). Herein, we report a case of a 17-year-old male with alopecia universalis who developed suspected HZ-associated encephalitis (HZAE) during treatment with oral tofacitinib. Oral tofacitinib was immediately discontinued, and the patient was started on antiviral treatment. We present this case to highlight a serious complication that can arise with oral JAKi therapy. Physicians should have a high index of clinical suspicion for HZAE in any patient presenting with a vesicular rash and concomitant neurologic impairments while systemically immunosuppressed.