Scientists have discovered a new blood type. There is only one person on earth.

  • The ABO-RH blood type system is an extremely successful method that helps medical professionals safely perform blood transfusions around the world.

  • Scientists from the French Blow Tour (EFS) successfully identify Ultra-Rare 48th A group of blood type known as the “Gwada negative” coming from a blood sample originally withdrawn about 15 years ago.

  • Although rare, it is important for doctors to know about these blood types, so that affected patients can get the best possible care.


Most people are familiar with the four broad human blood groups -, B, AB and O – and may even know that they come in positive or negative varieties (an indicator of what is called Rh factor). However, this is really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the complexity of human blood groups. In fact, people theoretically contain millions Of different blood groups, as there are more than 600 antigens that are identified on human blood cells. Any combination of these antigens can be considered a new blood type.

However, the International Blood Transfusion Society (ISBT) recognizes only 47 different blood group groups, with the latest being added only last year after a 50-year mystery. Now, according to a press statement published by LinkedIn by the French blood establishment (EFS), 48th The member officially joined the party. About 15 years ago, researchers received blood from a French woman descending from the Caribbean island of Guadelupa, conversatedly called “Guada”. The patient draws blood while undergoing routine tests before surgery.

An unusually antibody associated with this blood was discovered in 2011, but it was not until 2019 that DNA sequencing found that the genetic mutation was responsible for the unique blood type, which was officially recognized by ISBT this month. The researchers called the Gwada Group Negative after the patient’s homeland and confirmed that the woman inherited the blood group from her parents, which everyone contains the mutated gene.

“[This] It is undoubtedly the only known case in the world, “said Thierry Pairrd, a medical biologist at EFS, told Agance France-Presse (AFP).” She is the only person in the world to be compatible with herself. “

It is unobtrusive to know the antigenic composition of your blood before undergoing blood transfusion, as the mismatch can cause an immune response that threatens life. In essence, your body believes that antigens attached to foreign blood cells are invaders. Although there are potentially millions of blood groups, transfusions made with blood that match your type according to the well-established ABO-RH system have 99.8 percent chance of success. This is because your body’s immune response does not attack all antigens equally, so even if there is some Differences, transfusion will probably succeed.

However, it is important to identify these Ultra-Rare Blood Groups so that life-threatening immune responses can be avoided. “The discovery of new blood groups means offering patients with rare blood better levels of care,” the EFS team said in a press statement.

Although the current number of blood groups is at 48, this probably will not be the last issue. Progress in gene sequence is to recharge the detection of these blood groups. Eg 44th A member of this group, simply known as “ER”, was discovered in 2022, which means that scientists are currently discovering more than one new blood group a year.

2025 may own another or two of their blood -based surprises.

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