[Bullous pemphigoid. Current aspects].

Bullous pemphigoid is characterized, since the use of cutaneous immunofluorescence as a routine technique, by a linear deposition of IgG and C3 in the basal membrane zone. This has led to the description of unusual clinical aspects and onset forms which were formerly unrecognized. Insight into the intricate mechanism of dermo-epidermal separation, which is the basic defect of the disease, has very lately been gained by immunologic and electronic microscopy studies. However, at present, the nosologic position of bullous pemphigoid in relation to herpes gestationnis and cicatricial pemphigoid cannot be satisfactorily specified. The exact outcome is still poorly known. This is probably due to a poorly standardized management. Systemic corticotherapy, although not the only treatment, still provides the best results.