[Herpes gestationis. A histological and electron microscopic study (author's transl)].

The histology and electron microscopy of two cases of herpes gestationis is described (HG). It appears that at the histological as well as at the ultrastructural level, the blister of HG results from degenerative changes in the basal cells and is initially located in the epidermis. It is associated with spongiosis. As a consequence of the disappearance of the basal cell layer, the blister is secondarily found between the malpighian layer and the subepidermal basement membrane. Immunologically, C3 could be found at that dermo-epidermal junction. Although the immunological findings can be similar to those of BP, it is believed that HG and BP must be considered as different entities, because of the very particular clinical features of HG and because the blister formation is different in both diseases.