French scientists have discovered a new blood type named after the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, which is“Guadalcanal negative”, AFP reported Tuesday. This marks an increase in the number of internationally recognised human blood group systems to 48.
The breakthrough came after a routine preoperative examination 15 years ago, the report said. At the time, doctors detected a rare, unrecognized antibody in the blood of a Guadeloupe woman. Limited by early technology, the mystery wasn’t solved until 2019. The French Blood Centre (EFS) used advanced DNA sequencing technology to eventually identify this as a new blood group formed by a unique genetic mutation.
Thierry Perard, head of EFS blood safety, confirmed that gad-negative blood groups had been officially International Society of Blood Transfusion by the ISBT in early June. “This woman is the only known carrier in the world and her blood type is inherited from her parents,” Perlade said
The discovery of new blood types provides a key scientific basis for the treatment and safety of rare blood group patients, especially for pregnant and lying-in women, and will promote pathological research. EFS is now actively looking for other gad-negative blood group carriers around the world, with a view to establishing a bank of rare blood groups to provide protection for possible future medical needs. (Dong Ming)