Inherited deficiency of the ninth component of complement associated with streptococcal infection

A 7 year old boy, who presented with streptococcal infection, was found to have a low serum complement level (CH50). The C9 component was undetectable. His CH50 rose to the normal value and remained normal for at least three weeks, but decreased to one-third of the normal level three months later. Family studies were consistent with a familial C9 deficiency, with autosomal co-dominant inheritance.