Tinea barbae following ruxolitinib cream application in a vitiligo patient: a case report

Ruxolitinib 1.5% cream, a topical Janus Kinase (JAK) 1/2 inhibitor, represents a novel targeted treatment for non-segmental vitiligo, a common acquired depigmentation disorder of autoimmune origin clinically characterized by milky-white patches on the affected body areas. The efficacy of topical ruxolitinib in vitiligo has been demonstrated in clinical trials and real-life observation, with an overall safety profile. Mild-to-moderate reported adverse events include site-application acne, nasopharyngitis, and site-application pruritus, while increased susceptibility to viral skin infections, due to its mechanism of action leading to local immunosuppression, remains debated. No data are currently available on the potential susceptibility to fungal infection. We present here a case of a 53-year-old man who developed tinea barbae by Trichophyton tonsurans following ruxolitinib application, which eventually led to permanent treatment discontinuation.