[Herpes gestationis: antibasal cell antibodies in five out of sixteen cases (author's transl)].

Using direct immunofluorescence and in vitro complement fixation we have found antibodies with affinity to the cytoplasm of basal cells (B cyt Ab) in five out of sixteen well documented cases of herpes gestationis (HG). In one case B cyt Ab were found in the serum from a pregnancy whereas "HG factor" was found in a serum from a previous pregnancy. B cyt Ab were also detected in cord blood. These findings may be relevant to the fact that as suggested by histological ultrastructural studies, the basal cell may be the initial target in HG.