The Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is a rare genetically heterogeneous autosomal recessive disorder, characterized by tyrosinase-positive oculocutaneous albinism, platelet dysfunction and lysosomal ceroid lipofuscin storage. This is caused by defects in lysosome-related organelles. In humans eight different types of the syndrome are known, of which a short overview is given. The clinical features and a novel mutation of a patient with HPS type 5 are described here.