A woman born on the island of Guadalupein the Caribbean, was identified as the only known bearer of a new blood typeprovisionally called “Negative“The confirmation was made by the France’s Blood Agency (EFSin the acronym in French).
The announcement of the discovery took place about 15 years after blood sample collection of the patient, who underwent preoperative routine exams. At the time, the scientists identified a antibody Unusual, but at the time they didn’t have enough resources to deepen their studies.
New blood group is officially recognized
According to a statement from EFS, published in the social network Linkedin, the discovered blood group was officially recognized in June this yearduring a meeting of International Blood Transfusion Society (ISBT)in Milan, Italy. With that, the world now has 48 Blood Group Systemsagainst the 47 previously cataloged.
“EFS has just discovered the 48th blood group system in the world!”, Said the entity. The patient, who currently lives in Paris, had 54 years at the time of the first examsheld in 2011.
Genetic sequencing was decisive
The advance in research was only possible years later, thanks to the use of high capacity genetic sequencingtechnique that allowed to identify a mutation hitherto unknown. The process, completed in 2019, resolved a mystery that had lasted almost a decade.
According to Thierry PeyrardEFS medical biologist involved in the discovery, the woman is “The only person in the world that is compatible with herself”This is because she inherited the genetic mutation of both the father and the mother, which resulted in the formation of this extremely rare blood group.
The name chosen, “Negative Gwada”makes direct reference to the patients’ origins and, according to the researchers, was also thought of sounding well in different languages. “It’s a name that pleases the experts and pays tribute to the island of Guadalupe,” said Peyrard.
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Discovery can benefit other patients in the future
- EFS pointed out that the discovery of new blood types has a direct impact on transfusion medicine, especially in care for patients who have types of blood rare.
- “Discovering new blood groups means offering a better level of care for these patients”, Reinforced the institution.
- Now, the researchers work in the search for Other people who can share this same blood groupwhich can contribute to advances in safest treatments and transfusions in the future.
