Latest news with #Gwada
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.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists Have Discovered a New Blood Type. Only One Person on Earth Has It.
The ABO-Rh system of blood group typing is an immensely successful method that helps medical professionals safely perform blood transfusions throughout the world. Scientists from the French Blood Establishment (EFS) has successfully identified the ultra-rare 48th blood type group, known as 'Gwada negative,' which came from a blood sample originally drawn some 15 years ago. Although rare, it's important for physicians to know about these blood types so that impacted patients can receive the best care possible. 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 (an indicator of what's called an Rh factor) as well. However, that's really only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the complexity of human blood types. In fact, humans theoretically contain millions of different blood types, as there are more than 600 antigens that have been identified on human blood cells. Any combination of those antigens could be considered a new blood type. However, 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. Now, according to a press statement published on LinkedIn by the French Blood Establishment (EFS), a 48th member has officially joined the party. 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. 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.' 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. 'Discovering new blood groups means offering patients with rare blood a better level of care,' the EFS team said in a press statement. 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 44th 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. 2025 might hold one or two more blood-based surprises of its own. You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
