[Homozygotic C5 deficiency disclosed by purulent Neisseria meningitidis meningitis].

The complement system functions to protect the individual against infectious agents. Deficiencies of the late-acting complement proteins C5-C8 are associated with an increased susceptibility to Neisseria infection. This paper describes a deficiency in C5 in a Caucasoid family from the north of France that was revealed by the occurrence of a N. meningitidis meningitis in the homozygous C5-deficient propositus.