Alopecia areata presenting in 2 kidney-pancreas transplant recipients taking cyclosporine

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease of uncertain pathogenesis, typically treated with immunomodulators. We report the paradoxical development of AA in two kidney-pancreas transplant recipients receiving immunosuppressive therapy, which included cyclosporine. Review of the literature revealed only 7 other cases of AA occurring in solid organ transplant recipients; all occurred during long-term cyclosporine therapy. The development of AA in this population highlights the complexity of this immunologic disease.