French scientists discover new blood type in Guadeloupe woman
French scientists have discovered a new blood type in a woman from the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, France's blood supply agency announced Friday.
The woman is the only known carrier of a new blood type, dubbed "Gwada negative," the French Blood Establishment (EFS) said. The discovery was made 15 years after researchers received a blood sample from a patient who was undergoing routine tests ahead of a surgery.
"The EFS has just discovered the 48th blood group system in the world!" the agency said in a statement on social network LinkedIn, adding that the discovery was officially recognized by the International Society of Blood Transfusion in early June.
The scientific association had until now recognized 47 blood group systems.
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. However, resources at the time did not allow for further research, he added.
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.
This woman "is undoubtedly the only known case in the world," he said, adding: "She is the only person in the world who is compatible with herself."
The medical biologist 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.
The ABO blood group system was first discovered in the early 1900s. Thanks to DNA sequencing, the discovery of new blood groups has accelerated in recent years.
Peyrard and colleagues are now hoping to find other people with the same blood group.
"Discovering new blood groups means offering patients with rare blood types a better level of care," the EFS said.
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Newsweek
4 hours ago
- 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.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
French scientists discover new blood type in Guadeloupe woman
French scientists have discovered a new blood type in a woman from the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, France's blood supply agency announced Friday. The woman is the only known carrier of a new blood type, dubbed "Gwada negative," the French Blood Establishment (EFS) said. The discovery was made 15 years after researchers received a blood sample from a patient who was undergoing routine tests ahead of a surgery. "The EFS has just discovered the 48th blood group system in the world!" the agency said in a statement on social network LinkedIn, adding that the discovery was officially recognized by the International Society of Blood Transfusion in early June. The scientific association had until now recognized 47 blood group systems. 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. However, resources at the time did not allow for further research, he added. 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. This woman "is undoubtedly the only known case in the world," he said, adding: "She is the only person in the world who is compatible with herself." The medical biologist 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. The ABO blood group system was first discovered in the early 1900s. Thanks to DNA sequencing, the discovery of new blood groups has accelerated in recent years. Peyrard and colleagues are now hoping to find other people with the same blood group. "Discovering new blood groups means offering patients with rare blood types a better level of care," the EFS said. Saturday Sessions: Grace Potter performs "Paris" Saturday Sessions: Grace Potter performs "Medicine" Saturday Sessions: Grace Potter performs "Before the Sky Falls"
CBS News
11 hours ago
- CBS News
French scientists discover new blood type in Guadeloupe woman
French scientists have discovered a new blood type in a woman from the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, France's blood supply agency announced Friday. The woman is the only known carrier of a new blood type, dubbed "Gwada negative," the French Blood Establishment (EFS) said. The discovery was made 15 years after researchers received a blood sample from a patient who was undergoing routine tests ahead of a surgery. "The EFS has just discovered the 48th blood group system in the world!" the agency said in a statement on social network LinkedIn, adding that the discovery was officially recognized by the International Society of Blood Transfusion in early June. The scientific association had until now recognized 47 blood group systems. 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. However, resources at the time did not allow for further research, he added. 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. This woman "is undoubtedly the only known case in the world," he said, adding: "She is the only person in the world who is compatible with herself." The medical biologist 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. The ABO blood group system was first discovered in the early 1900s. Thanks to DNA sequencing, the discovery of new blood groups has accelerated in recent years. Peyrard and colleagues are now hoping to find other people with the same blood group. "Discovering new blood groups means offering patients with rare blood types a better level of care," the EFS said.
