A large family comprised of 18 members is described. Four male members are properdin-deficient, all are healthy bar the index patient who presented with chronic discoid lupus erythematosus. Serum from properdin-deficient males had a reduced ability to lyse rabbit erythrocytes via the alternative pathway or solubilize pre-formed immune complexes. Addition of purified properdin restored these activities. Classical pathway activity was normal. Definite, probable and possible female carriers had normal classical and alternative pathway activities.