Latest news with #Guadeloupean
Scientific American
15-07-2025
- Health
- Scientific American
Doctors Discover a Woman With Her Own Unique Blood Type
The following essay is reprinted with permission from The Conversation, an online publication covering the latest research. In a routine blood test that turned extraordinary, French scientists have identified the world's newest and rarest blood group. The sole known carrier is a woman from Guadeloupe whose blood is so unique that doctors couldn't find a single compatible donor. The discovery of the 48th recognised blood group, called 'Gwada-negative', began when the woman's blood plasma reacted against every potential donor sample tested, including those from her own siblings. Consequently, it was impossible to find a suitable blood donor for her. On supporting science journalism If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today. Many people know their blood type – A, B, AB or O – along with whether they are Rh-positive or negative. But these familiar categories (those letters plus 'positive' or 'negative') represent just two of several dozens of blood group systems that determine compatibility for transfusions. Each system reflects subtle but crucial differences in the proteins and sugars coating our red blood cells. To solve the mystery of the Guadeloupian woman's incompatible blood, scientists turned to cutting-edge genetic analysis. Using whole exome sequencing – a technique that examines all 20,000-plus human genes – they discovered a mutation in a gene called PIGZ. This gene produces an enzyme responsible for adding a specific sugar to an important molecule on cell membranes. The missing sugar changes the structure of a molecule on the surface of red blood cells. This change creates a new antigen – a key feature that defines a blood group – resulting in an entirely new classification: Gwada-positive (having the antigen) or -negative (lacking it). Using gene editing technology, the team confirmed their discovery by recreating the mutation in a lab. So red blood cells from all blood donors tested are Gwada-positive and the Guadeloupean patient is the only known Gwada-negative person on the planet. The implications of the discovery extend beyond blood transfusions. The patient suffers from mild intellectual disability, and tragically, she lost two babies at birth – outcomes that may be connected to her rare genetic mutation. The enzyme produced by the PIGZ gene operates at the final stage of building a complex molecule called GPI (glycosylphosphatidylinositol). Previous research has shown that people with defects in other enzymes needed for GPI assembly can experience neurological problems ranging from developmental delays to seizures. Stillbirths are also common among women with these inherited disorders. Although the Caribbean patient is the only person in the world so far with this rare blood type, neurological conditions including developmental delay, intellectual disability and seizures have been noted in other people with defects in enzymes needed earlier in the GPI assembly line. The Gwada discovery highlights both the marvels and challenges of human genetic diversity. Blood groups evolved partly as protection against infectious diseases (many bacteria, viruses and parasites use blood group molecules as entry points into cells). This means your blood type can influence your susceptibility to certain diseases. But extreme rarity creates medical dilemmas. The French researchers acknowledge they cannot predict what would happen if Gwada-incompatible blood were transfused into the Guadeloupian woman. Even if other Gwada-negative people exist, they would be extremely difficult to locate. It is also unclear if they can become blood donors. This reality points towards a futuristic solution: lab-grown blood cells. Scientists are already working on growing red blood cells from stem cells that could be genetically modified to match ultra-rare blood types. In the case of Gwada, researchers could artificially create Gwada-negative red blood cells by mutating the PIGZ gene. A growing field Gwada joins 47 other blood group systems recognised by the International Society of Blood Transfusion. Like most of these blood-group systems, it was discovered in a hospital lab where technicians were trying to find compatible blood for a patient. The name reflects the case's Caribbean roots: Gwada is slang for someone from Guadeloupe, giving this blood group both scientific relevance and cultural resonance. As genetic sequencing becomes more advanced and widely used, researchers expect to uncover more rare blood types. Each discovery expands our understanding of human variation and raises fresh challenges for transfusion and other types of personalised medicine.
Arab Times
26-06-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
Emm-negative: A new blood type found in only one person
PARIS, France, June 26: What began as a routine lab test at a Paris hospital turned into a scientific milestone. A lab technician, expecting a standard blood cross-match, instead witnessed every test tube clotting in unusual shades of mauve. None of the common blood types — A, B, AB, O — or even rare Rh variants matched. With no answers, the hospital escalated the case to specialists. Fourteen years later, that mysterious sample has redefined medical understanding. In June 2025, the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) officially recognized the world's 48th human blood group system: Emm-negative. Informally referred to as 'Gwada negative,' after the Guadeloupean heritage of the only known individual with this blood type, the classification is unique. As French biologist Thierry Peyrard noted, 'She is the only person on the planet compatible with herself.' The discovery dates back to 2011, when a 54-year-old woman underwent routine pre-operative screening. An unidentified antibody in her blood puzzled doctors. At the time, without the advanced genetic tools available today, the case was archived. Nearly a decade later, next-generation DNA sequencing uncovered a previously unknown mutation affecting the gene responsible for producing the EMM antigen, a molecule present on almost all human red blood cells. The absence of this high-incidence antigen posed a significant challenge in transfusion medicine. Confirming the rarity and clinical implications of this finding required six additional years of peer-reviewed research. In June 2025, ISBT delegates in Milan unanimously agreed to classify Emm as a new and independent blood group system, now officially known as ISBT042. Most people recognize their blood type by its ABO classification and Rh factor—positive or negative. However, red blood cells are adorned with dozens of other markers, or antigens, made from proteins, lipids, or sugars. The ISBT categorizes these into blood group systems, including the well-known Rh system and lesser-known groups like Vel. The EMM antigen is considered a high-frequency antigen, meaning more than 99.99% of the global population has it. When this antigen is absent, as in the case of the Paris patient, the immune system may react aggressively to donor blood, potentially causing life-threatening hemolytic shock. For the patient, this rare blood type means extreme caution. Any transfusion must be precisely matched to avoid immune complications. Her only option is autologous donation—banking her own blood ahead of planned medical procedures. This mirrors the situation for people with the Bombay blood group, another ultra-rare type first identified in 1952. While Bombay patients can sometimes find compatible donors globally, no such network yet exists for Emm-negative individuals. The breakthrough came with next-generation sequencing, which allowed researchers to identify the exact gene deletion responsible for the missing EMM antigen. This technology, combined with expansive DNA databases, is rapidly accelerating the discovery of rare blood types—at least five new systems have been classified since 2012. Rare blood types present serious logistical challenges. In the U.S., a unit of red blood cells typically costs around $225, excluding testing. For rare units, especially those deep-frozen for long-term storage, costs can soar to ten times that amount. Emergency situations involving rare blood types can incur thousands more in international shipping and delays that jeopardize lives. The American Rare Donor Program already tracks about 100,000 individuals with uncommon antigen profiles. The addition of Emm-negative highlights the need for further expansion. In response, French researchers have begun screening archived blood samples from Caribbean populations, hoping to identify additional Emm-negative donors. Even a small donor pool could provide essential reserves for future transfusion needs and emergencies. In the long term, scientists are exploring lab-grown red blood cells made from stem cells engineered to match rare antigen profiles. Clinical trials are underway, with hopes of broader application within the next decade. For now, the Paris woman who helped reveal the Emm-negative blood group continues her daily life — marked by a routine existence, yet with an extraordinary and singular designation on her medical record.
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First Post
26-06-2025
- Health
- First Post
Only one person on Earth has this blood type. What is 'Gwada negative'?
A 68-year-old woman from Guadeloupe has been confirmed as the sole known carrier of a newly discovered blood group named 'Gwada negative'. Officially recognised as the 48th blood group system by the International Society of Blood Transfusion, this ultra-rare type could hold implications for the future of transfusion science and rare blood compatibility care read more 'Gwada negative' has been established as the 48th blood group system in the world. Representational Image/AI-generated via Firstpost A woman from the French Caribbean territory of Guadeloupe has been confirmed as the only known person in the world to possess a newly classified blood group — now officially recognised as the 48th blood group system. The new blood group has been named 'Gwada negative', after a local nickname for the islands of Guadeloupe. The discovery was announced by France's national blood service, Établissement français du sang (EFS), following its formal recognition by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) at its congress in Milan. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The ISBT had previously identified 47 unique blood group systems. This development comes more than a century after Austrian-American biologist Karl Landsteiner first identified the ABO system in 1901, a milestone that would later earn him a Nobel Prize. How 'Gwada negative' was discovered The woman in question, now 68 years old and living in Paris, first drew the attention of medical researchers in 2011. At the time, she was undergoing routine pre-surgical blood tests. Initial laboratory tests failed to classify her blood using any known blood typing methods. An atypical antibody was identified, and her blood could not be matched within existing systems. A 'very unusual' antibody was first found in the patient in 2011, Thierry Peyrard, a medical biologist from EFS, who has played a key role in the study, told AFP. However, at the time of the initial tests, the tools and technology available were insufficient to explore the anomaly further. The case remained unexplained for nearly eight years, until 2019, when scientists at EFS returned to her sample using a more advanced diagnostic tool — high-throughput DNA sequencing. This technology enabled researchers to conduct a deeper genetic investigation, ultimately revealing a mutation in the PIGZ gene, which alters how specific proteins anchor themselves to red blood cells. The woman was confirmed to have inherited the condition from both her parents, who each carried a version of the mutated gene. This made her the only known person on Earth to have this specific blood group. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'She is the only person in the world who is compatible with herself,' said Peyrard. He noted that the name 'Gwada negative' was chosen in reference to the patient's Guadeloupean origin and also because 'it sounds good in all languages,' making it a suitable term for global usage among the scientific and medical communities. What makes blood types so complex Though most people know their blood type as A, B, AB, or O — combined with a positive or negative Rh factor — these are just the best-known components of a vast and intricate system. Human red blood cells carry more than 600 different antigens, and each unique combination of these can result in a new blood type. For this reason, the ISBT recognises blood group systems rather than individual blood types. Each system is defined by the genetic and serological properties that influence the expression of antigens. The ABO and Rh systems are the most clinically important, especially for transfusions, but over the years, dozens of others have been identified, including rare ones that affect transfusion compatibility and immune response. The addition of Gwada negative follows previous rare group discoveries such as the 'Er' system, which was recognised in 2022. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Scientific progress in gene sequencing, particularly high-throughput genomic tools, has accelerated the pace of discovery in recent years. According to experts, more new blood groups may be identified annually as sequencing technologies become more widespread and affordable. What this means for rare blood group carriers Understanding blood types is critical in transfusion medicine. When blood from a donor carries antigens that are not recognised by the recipient's immune system, it can trigger a dangerous immune reaction, which can be life-threatening. The ABO-Rh system offers transfusion compatibility in 99.8 per cent of cases, but patients with rarer blood types face greater risk and more limited donor options. The EFS highlighted this point in its public statement: 'Discovering new blood groups means offering patients with rare blood types a better level of care.' Although millions of theoretical blood types are possible based on antigen variation, only 48 blood group systems have met the rigorous genetic and serological criteria to be recognised by the ISBT. Every addition to this list not only advances the scientific understanding of human genetics but also enhances the safety and efficacy of transfusions for rare cases. In the United States alone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 14 million units of blood are transfused annually. Accurate typing and identification are essential to ensure those transfusions are both safe and effective. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Why this puts the woman with 'Gwada negative' in a unique position The woman with Gwada negative blood is unique in more ways than one. Unlike other rare blood types that may have small numbers of known carriers, she is the only confirmed person worldwide with this classification, making her completely incompatible with any blood donor currently known to science — except herself. This reality poses major challenges should she ever require a transfusion. Her genome sequencing has been archived, and researchers are now focused on locating other potential carriers, particularly among blood donors from Guadeloupe and surrounding regions. Because blood types are inherited, populations with shared ancestry may be the most likely sources of other cases. The blood group's formal recognition by the ISBT not only gives it a place in global transfusion protocols, but also encourages international collaboration to identify other carriers and develop strategies for rare donor recruitment. With inputs from agencies
The Hindu
22-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
All you need to know about : Gwada negative
In a groundbreaking announcement, France's national blood agency, the Établissement Français du Sang or French Blood Establishment (EFS), has identified a completely new blood group system, now officially recognised by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT). Named EMM-negative and colloquially dubbed 'Gwada negative' in reference to the Guadeloupean origin of the woman who carries it, this blood type is unlike any other. As of June 2025, only one person in the world is known to possess this blood type, making it the rarest ever recorded. What is Gwada Negative? Gwada negative is the informal name given to the newly classified EMM-negative blood group system, officially registered by ISBT as ISBT042. It is defined by the absence of the EMM antigen, which is normally found on red blood cells and is considered a high-incidence antigen. High-incidence antigens are present in nearly all humans, so the lack of one, as in this case, is extremely rare and medically significant. According to the ISBT, for a blood group to be considered a new system, it must fulfill several criteria: it should be genetically determined, inherited, identifiable via serological or molecular techniques, and have an associated antibody -- criteria that EMM-negative meets. The identification of the EMM-negative blood type adds to the previously known 47 blood group systems, making it the 48th globally recognised system in transfusion science. How was it discovered and by whom? The story began back in 2011, when a 54-year-old woman from Guadeloupe, who was living in Paris, underwent routine blood tests before surgery. During testing, scientists noticed an antibody that could not be identified by known blood group systems. At the time, the technology needed to analyse the anomaly wasn't fully developed. According to Thierry Peyrard, a medical biologist with the EFS who led the research, it wasn't until 2019 that researchers used high-throughput DNA sequencing -- also known as next-generation sequencing (NGS), a technology that enables the rapid sequencing of vast amounts of DNA or RNA in parallel, significantly increasing speed and efficiency compared to traditional methods -- to uncover the unique genetic mutation responsible for the absence of the EMM antigen. Their research was conducted over many years and after thorough validation and peer review, the ISBT officially recognised the discovery in June 2025 during its meeting in Milan. The woman's blood was found to possess a completely new serologic profile, confirming a novel and rare blood group system. Who has it and why is it so rare? As of now, the woman from Guadeloupe is the only known person in the world to possess this blood type. Her case is especially unique because she inherited the mutated gene from both her mother and her father, each of whom likely carried a single copy of the rare gene variant. This dual inheritance led to a complete lack of the EMM antigen in her red blood cells. According to Dr. Peyrard, this woman is 'compatible only with herself,' meaning that no currently identified donor could safely give her blood in the event of a transfusion. The rarity of her case is due to the extremely high prevalence of the EMM antigen in the human population; nearly everyone has it. When a person lacks such a high-frequency antigen, it places them in an extremely rare blood group category. Scientists now hope to identify others who might share the same genetic variant to better support patients with similar needs in the future. Why does it matter clinically? The discovery of Gwada negative is far more than a scientific curiosity -- it has important implications for transfusion medicine. Individuals who lack common red blood cell antigens like EMM can produce alloantibodies (antibodies produced by an individual in response to foreign antigens from another individual of the same species) against them. If such individuals receive blood containing the antigen they lack, their immune system may recognise it as foreign, potentially leading to dangerous transfusion reactions, including hemolysis --premature destruction or breakdown of red blood cells. In this patient's case, no donor blood containing the EMM antigen would be safe. According to the EFS and transfusion specialists, recognising rare blood groups like this one is crucial for ensuring safe transfusions and for guiding blood banks in identifying, cataloging, and preserving rare blood units. It also highlights the importance of building and maintaining international rare blood donor registries that can provide lifesaving support in critical situations. Specialists hightlight that the formal recognition of the EMM-negative, or 'Gwada negative,' blood type represents a critical advancement in haematology and transfusion medicine. This rare blood type broadens the scientific understanding of human immunohematological diversity and highlights the essential role of advanced genetic screening in ensuring safe and accurate blood matching, particularly in complex clinical and emergency settings.
Newsweek
21-06-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
French Scientists Discover New Blood Group
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A group of French researchers have discovered a new, "ultra rare" blood group in a Guadeloupean woman after years of researching and sequencing her blood, the French Blood Establishment (EFS) said in a Friday press release. Newsweek has reached out to EFS's press team for comment via email on Saturday. Why It Matters The discovery marks the 48th known blood group system in the world. Understanding blood types is critical for ensuring safe and effective transfusions and organ transplants, as well as identifying certain health risks. Blood classification helps medical providers determine compatibility—or lack thereof—between donors and recipients. There are approximately 14 million units of blood transfused annually in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Outside of the well-known ABO system, there are a series of rare blood groups. What To Know In a social media post on LinkedIn, the EFS said in French that "this discovery was officially recognized in early June in Milan by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT)." The woman is the only known carrier of a rare blood type called "Gwada negative." The case first drew attention in 2011 when she required a blood transfusion, but no compatible donor could be found. Researchers later revisited her case in 2019 and identified the unique blood type through further analysis, according to the EFS's Friday press release. Thierry Peyrard, a medical biologist at the EFS involved in the discovery, told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that a "very unusual" antibody was found in the patient's blood in 2011. She was 54 years old at the time when she underwent a series of tests prior to surgery, according to Le Monde. Due to limited resources at the time, research into her blood type had been halted. Peyrard said the woman inherited the blood type from her parents who had the mutated gene. EFS, in French, said that the discovery "brings hope to patients, especially those with a rare blood type. Remember that the safety of a transfusion depends on the compatibility of blood groups." The group says it has been responsible for identifying 10 of the past 17 blood group systems discovered in the past decade. Karl Landsteiner discovered the first blood groups in the early 1900s and was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1930 for his work. Serum tubes with blood samples from patients are processed in the central medical laboratory of the St. Georg Clinic in Leipzig. Serum tubes with blood samples from patients are processed in the central medical laboratory of the St. Georg Clinic in Leipzig. Waltraud Grubitzsch/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images What People Are Saying The official Nobel Prize account posted on X, formerly Twitter, on June 17: "The discovery of blood groups completely changed the view on blood transfusions, and it didn't take long before the first successful attempts were carried out. During WWI, blood transfusions were first performed on a large scale. Countless lives were also saved through surgeries, which previously had been unfeasible due to the blood loss involved." What Happens Next? Scientists continue to study blood types, advancing global health care and improving the precision and effectiveness of transfusions.
