Latest news with #InternationalSocietyofBloodTransfusion
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
French scientists discover a new blood type found in only one woman alive today
Imagine needing a blood transfusion and learning that no one else on the planet can help you. French researchers have identified a brand-new human blood type found in only one person on the planet, a 68-year-old woman from Guadeloupe . Doctors have named it the 'Gwada negative' blood type, and it's the first newly discovered blood group system in years, now officially the 48th blood group recognized globally. 'We had never seen anything like it,' said Thierry Peyrard, the French biologist who led the research, announced at the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) Congress in Milan. 'She is the only person in the world who can get along with herself,' said Thierry Peyrard, biologist at France's national blood agency (EFS), which made the discovery. The EFS has discovered 10 of the last 17 known blood group systems, placing France at the forefront of rare blood science. Live Events How did scientists discover the new blood group? It started in 2011, when the woman underwent routine pre-surgery tests in Paris. Her blood reacted to every known donor type. Doctors were alarmed. They couldn't identify what made her immune system reject even the rarest matched blood. The case went cold. Because of the new genome sequencing tools, scientists finally cracked the code. They found a mutation in the PIGZ gene, a change inherited from both parents, that completely altered how proteins bind to red blood cells. Her blood produces antibodies that would destroy any transfused blood, except her own. She is only eligible for autologous transfusions (her own stored blood). In any emergency, there is no donor alive who can help her. Named after Guadeloupe's local nickname 'Gwada,' scientists are now combing donor databases in the Caribbean, hoping to find others who carry the rare mutation. So far, she's alone. Finding a second Gwada negative donor could be life-saving for her or others who carry hidden genetic variations. It could also prevent deadly transfusion errors in rare patients.
New York Post
27-06-2025
- Health
- New York Post
I have an extremely rare blood type — I'm the only person in the world with it
Talk about a lonely hearts club. An unidentified woman from Guadeloupe has the rarest blood type on Earth, to the extent that she's only compatible with herself. The 68-year-old is thus far the only known member of the blood group 'Gwada negative,' according to news reports. The moniker comes from the colloquial name for the French Caribbean island the woman calls home. 3 Research revealed the woman has a mutation in the gene PIGZ, which affects how proteins anchor to the surface of blood cells. sebgross – Scientists with the French Blood Establishment (EFS), who discovered Gwada negative, announced their findings this month in a presentation at the International Society of Blood Transfusion's Congress in Milan. The research team was introduced to the woman in 2001 when she was living in Paris and undergoing routine blood tests in preparation for surgery. Doctors were unable to identify her blood type or any matches for it. DNA analysis wasn't advanced enough at the time to explore the case further, but in 2019, researchers utilized next-generation technology to sequence the patient's entire genome. Research revealed a mutation in the gene PIGZ, which affects how proteins anchor to the surface of blood cells. The team determined that the woman inherited her unique blood profile from her parents, as both carried the mutated gene. 'This woman is undoubtedly the only known case in the world,' Thierry Peyrard , a biologist at EFS, told AFP. 'She is the only person in the world who is compatible with herself.' 3 Blood group systems are essential for blood transfusions, as our bodies reject blood group antigens that they perceive as foreign. thomsond – Human blood group classifications are based on antigens, the proteins and sugars found on the surface of red blood cells. The ABO blood typing system details whether people have one, both or neither of the antigens 'A' and 'B.' The rhesus classification determines whether cells are 'positive' or 'negative' for the Rh factor antigen. Blood group systems are essential for blood transfusions, as our bodies reject blood group antigens that they perceive as foreign. Folks with AB blood have A and B antigens, meaning they can receive blood from any donor. Meanwhile, type O blood has no antigens, meaning patients with this type can only receive blood from fellow type O donors. In tandem, the ABO and Rh systems provide us with the eight primary blood groups. However, scientists explain that there are several lesser-known blood groups, 45 of which are recognized by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT). 3 Type O blood has no antigens, meaning patients with this type can only receive blood from fellow type O donors. picture alliance via Getty Images Gwada negative is now recognized as No. 48 by ISBT. Researchers plan to investigate whether other people have this unique blood type. The team notes that blood types are commonly shared by groups of similar ancestral descent; thus, they aim to start their search among blood donors in Guadeloupe. 'Discovering new blood types means offering patients with rare blood a better level of care,' an EFS statement read. In certain cases, patients with rare blood can provide incredible care to others. James Harrison, nicknamed the 'man with the golden arm,' had blood that contained a rare antibody known as Anti-D, which can be used to make medication to treat pregnant women with Rhesus disease. Rhesus disease isn't harmful to the mother, but it causes her antibodies to destroy her baby's blood cells, which can be fatal. Since Anti-D was discovered in the 1960s, it has saved the lives of millions, and expectant mothers have relied on the kindness of the small group of people who could provide the antibody.
International Business Times
26-06-2025
- Health
- International Business Times
What Is Gwada Negative? The World's Rarest Blood Group Discovered in Guadeloupean Woman
A woman born in the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe has a blood type that scientists have never seen before. This new blood group, now named "Gwada negative," was officially recognized by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT), making it the world's 48th known blood group system. The woman, now 68 and living in Paris, was first tested in 2011 before a surgery. Doctors noticed that her blood didn't match any known type. Tests showed an unusual antibody, but at that time, technology couldn't explain it. Years later, in 2019, French scientists used advanced DNA tools to retest her blood. They found a rare mutation in a gene called PIGZ. She got this change from both her parents. This mutation affects how proteins stick to red blood cells. This makes her blood truly one of a kind. "She is the only person in the world who can receive her own blood," said Thierry Peyrard, a lead expert at France's national blood service. The name "Gwada negative" honors her Caribbean roots. It was also chosen because it sounds simple in many languages, making it easy for doctors and scientists to use worldwide. Most people know about A, B, AB, or O blood types. But these are only part of a larger system. Red blood cells carry over 600 markers, called antigens. These create different blood types, and "Gwada negative" is the latest one added to the list. New discoveries like this are possible today because of powerful gene-scanning technology. Experts believe more rare blood types may be found in the future. This is important, as having the right blood type is critical for safe transfusions. In most cases, common blood types are enough. But people with rare types can be in danger if the right match is not found. In the U.S. alone, over 14 million units of blood are used each year. That's why knowing more about blood groups helps save lives. Doctors are now trying to find others who may carry this rare blood group. They're searching mostly in Guadeloupe and nearby areas, where people may have similar ancestry. This discovery could help improve medical care for others with rare blood, and it shows how science is always learning more about the human body.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Gwada Negative: All about the world's rarest 48th blood type found in just one person
A French woman from Guadeloupe, has been identified as the only known carrier of a new blood type, "Gwada negative," discovered 15 years after her blood sample was taken for routine surgery preparation, and officially recognized by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) in June, marking the 48th blood group system. The French Blood Establishment (EFS) announced the discovery, highlighting its importance for patients with rare blood types, made possible through advanced DNA sequencing that revealed a genetic mutation. The ABO-Rh system is a method that helps medical professionals safely perform blood transfusions. The French Blood Establishment (EFS) has identified the 48th blood type group, known as 'Gwada negative,' from a blood sample drawn some 15 years ago. The discovery was officially recognised in early June in Milan by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT). The scientific association had until now recognised 47 blood group systems. Most people are familiar with the four broad human blood types —A, B, AB, and O—and it's likely they may even know that they come in positive or negative varieties. Humans theoretically contain millions of different blood types, as there are more than 600 antigens that have been identified on human blood cells. The International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) only recognizes 47 distinct blood type groups, with the latest being added just last year after a 50-year-long mystery. According to a press statement published on LinkedIn by the French Blood Establishment (EFS), a 48 th member has officially joined. Live Events Some 15 years ago, researchers received blood from a French woman originating from the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, colloquially referred to as 'Gwada.' The patient drew blood while undergoing routine tests before surgery. An unusual antibody associated with this blood was discovered in 2011, but it wasn't until 2019 that DNA sequencing found that a genetic mutation was responsible for the unique blood type, which was officially recognized by the ISBT this month. Thierry Peyrard, a medical biologist at the EFS involved in the discovery, told AFP that a "very unusual" antibody was first found in the patient in 2011. Resources at the time did not allow for further research. Scientists were finally able to unravel the mystery in 2019 thanks to "high-throughput DNA sequencing", which highlighted a genetic mutation, Peyrard said. The patient, who was 54 at the time and lived in Paris, was undergoing routine tests before surgery when the unknown antibody was detected, Peyrard said. The researchers named the group 'Gwada negative,' after the patient's homeland, and confirmed that the woman inherited the blood type from her parents, who each contained the mutated gene. '[This] is undoubtedly the only known case in the world,' Thierry Peyrard, a medical biologist at EFS, told Agence France-Presse (AFP). 'She is the only person in the world who is compatible with herself.' Peyrard said the woman inherited the blood type from her father and mother, who each had the mutated gene. The name "Gwada negative", which refers to the patient's origins and "sounds good in all languages", has been popular with the experts, said Peyrard. Its immensely important to know the antigen make-up of your blood before undergoing blood transfusions , as mismatch can trigger a life-threatening immune response. Essentially, your body thinks the antigens attached to the foreign blood cells are invaders. Although there are potentially millions of blood types, transfusions made with blood that matches your type according to the well-established ABO-Rh type system have a 99.8 percent chance of success. This is because your body's immune response doesn't attack all antigens equally, so even if there are some differences, the transfusion will likely be a success. However, it's still important to identify these ultra-rare blood types so that life-threatening immune responses can be avoided. Although the current number of blood groups sits at 48, that likely won't be the last count. Advancements in gene sequencing have supercharged the discovery of these blood groups. For example, the 44 th member of this group, known simply as 'Er,' was discovered in 2022 , meaning that scientists are currently discovering more than one new blood group a year. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
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.
