Zacharia Farag v. HHS - HPV, alopecia areata totalis (2023)

On May 31, 2017, Lynn Farag filed a petition for compensation on behalf of her son, Zacharia Farag, alleging that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine administered on May 16, 2016, caused him to develop alopecia areata totalis. Zacharia Farag was 12 years old at the time of vaccination.

His mother reported that he first noticed hair loss around Memorial Day weekend of 2016, approximately two weeks after the vaccination, and that his condition progressed to total hair loss by November 2016. The petition detailed Zacharia's medical history, including a diagnosis of autism and strep throat prior to vaccination.

Following the vaccination, he presented with complaints of hair loss, initially diagnosed as tinea barbae and tinea capitis, but later assessed as alopecia areata (AA) by a dermatologist. His condition worsened over time, leading to complete loss of scalp, brow, lash, and body hair by November 2016.

Various treatments were attempted, including topical corticosteroids, sulfasalazine, and later immunotherapy with SADBE and diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP), with limited success and some adverse effects like anemia and behavioral changes. Petitioner's expert, M.

Eric Gershwin, M.D., proposed a theory of molecular mimicry, suggesting the HPV vaccine triggered cytotoxic T cells that attacked hair follicles. Respondent's expert, Mehrdad Matloubian, M.D., Ph.D., argued that the link between the HPV vaccine and alopecia areata is speculative and not supported by scientific literature, pointing to genetics and other potential triggers like stress or microbiome changes.

The Special Master, Herbrina Sanders, reviewed the evidence, including medical records, affidavits, and expert testimony. The court found that Petitioner failed to establish a medical theory causally connecting the vaccine to the injury (Althen Prong One) or a logical sequence of cause and effect (Althen Prong Two).

While a proximate temporal relationship was met (Althen Prong Three), the overall claim was denied because Petitioner did not prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the HPV vaccine caused his alopecia areata totalis. The petition was dismissed.

Petitioner was represented by Mark T. Sadaka of the Law Offices of Sadaka Associates, LLC, and Respondent was represented by Dorian Hurley of the United States Department of Justice.