Evidence for a genetically heterogeneous psoriasis susceptibility locus on distal human chromosome 17q has recently been reported [Science 1994;264:1141]. Making use of an independently ascertained collection of 24 multiplex psoriasis kindreds, we have performed a genotyping scan of chromosome 17 using 12 microsatellite markers and analyzed the data using parametric (lod score) as well as novel nonparametric methods. Pairwise lod scores revealed no evidence for linkage to the previously implicated marker D17S784 under any of eight models varying in mode of inheritance, penetrance, and sporadic cases. Homogeneous linkage to D17S784 could be excluded under all four autosomal dominant models tested (Z < - 5.8 at theta = 0.05), and there was no evidence for genetic heterogeneity. All other chromosome 17 markers tested also failed to detect evidence for linkage in any of the kindreds under either a dominant or a recessive model. Although further analysis using affected sib pair methods provided no statistically significant evidence for linkage to any chromosome 17 marker, a cluster of three distal 17q loci displayed a trend towards greater than expected allele-sharing values (observed/expected = 1.10-1.14). These results do not formally confirm the existence of a psoriasis susceptibility locus on the distal long arm of human chromosome 17, but are suggestive of its possible involvement under a polygenic model, warranting its further investigation in familial psoriasis.