[Maternal genital herpes: virus isolation during the third trimester of pregnancy and at delivery].

We followed 42 pregnant women at high risk for genital herpes infection. Viral isolation was attempted weekly from the 34th week of pregnancy. One or more episodes of herpes infection developed in 74% of women. The virus was isolated in 28% after 34 weeks and in 22% after 37 weeks. A prophylactic cesarean section was performed in the latter group; only one of these women had a positive viral isolation at delivery. The HSV-2 of virus was found in 83% of cases and HSV-1 in 17%.