Herpes gestationis in mother and erythemato-pustulous rash in the newborn with positive direct immunofluorescence. A transfer of the disease?
A 24-year-old secundigravida presented at 38 weeks of amenorrhea with typical cutaneous lesions of herpes gestationis. The newborn developed a skin rash 3 days after birth. The rash clinically resembled erythema toxicum neonatorum with dermal infiltrate of lymphocytes and eosinophilic polymorphonuclear cells forming a few intraepidermal pustules. The complement-binding antibody test for herpes gestationis factor was negative, but direct immunofluorescence study on this biopsy demonstrated a linear deposit of IgG and complement on the basement membrane zone. The possible transmission of the disease to the newborn is discussed.
Guillet
G
G
Service de Dermatologie, CHU, Brest, France.
Nougue
J
J
Oksman
F
F
D000328:Adult; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D006559:Pemphigoid Gestationis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000635:transmission*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000635:transmission*; D012872:Skin Diseases, Vesiculobullous / Q000635:transmission*