[Immunopathological studies in herpes gestationis]

Immunologic studies were made in two patients with "herpes gestationis". Direct and indirect immunofluorescence studies lead to the following results: 1. DIF was done with antisera against IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE and C3. Only the deposit of C3 was detected on the basal membrane zone of the lesioned skin. In one of the patients the deposit was found also on healthy skin. 2. IIF did not show immunoglobulins against the basal membrane in sera but in both patients a termolabil factor (factor HG) which activates the fixation of the complement onto the basal membrane zone was detected. No correlation between the immunopathologic pattern of Herpes gestationis and that of the other bullous diseases which cause subepidermic bullae was found. However there was a significant similarity between the immunologic pattern of Herpes gestationis and Bullous pemphigoid.