Pemphigoid Gestationis (Herpes Gestationis)


(Figure 3.39A–C)
  • Autoimmune bullous dermatosis of pregnancy; typically second or third trimester or immediately postpartum
  • Antibody: anti-BPAG2 (BP180, NC16A site)
  • Presents with pruritic urticarial papules on trunk (typically periumbilical), may progress to tense vesicles/bullae and spreads peripherally (spares mucous membranes, face, palms and soles); ± flare with delivery (75%); ± recurrence with OCPs, menses or subsequent pregnancy; ↑ mother’s risk for Graves’ disease
  • Histology: papillary dermal edema resulting in subepidermal bulla with eosinophil-rich infiltrate, ± keratinocyte necrosis, perivascular infiltrate
  • DIF: linear C3 deposition ± IgG at basement membrane (key assay test to differentiate from PUPPP)
  • IIF (salt-split): epidermal base (roof of blister like BP)
  • Fetal risk: ↑ risk of prematurity, ↑ incidence of small for gestational age birth, up to 10% risk of skin involvement
  • Treatment: oral corticosteroid (topical corticosteroid and antihistamine typically ineffective)
  • Association: ↑ incidence of anti-thyroid antibodies, ↑ frequency with HLA-DR3, HLA-DR4
   
 
Most important pregnancy dermatosis to exclude
 
   


Figure 3.39 A: Pemphigoid gestationis* B: Pemphigoid gestationis* C: Pemphigoid gestationis* *Reprint from Ingber A. Obstetric Dermatology: A Practical Guide. New York, NY: Springer; 2008
Figure 3.39
A: Pemphigoid gestationis*
B: Pemphigoid gestationis*
C: Pemphigoid gestationis*
*Reprint from Ingber A.
Obstetric Dermatology:
A Practical Guide. New York,
NY: Springer; 2008