Onset of alopecia areata after Epstein-Barr virus infectious mononucleosis.

Background: The pathogenesis of alopecia areata (AA) is incompletely known. A positive family history in some points to a genetic predisposition, and discordance of the disease in identical twins suggests environmental triggers exist.

Objective: We sought to determine whether the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a possible environmental trigger for AA.