Scientists Discover Unique Blood Type in Guadeloupe Woman

Researchers have identified a previously unknown blood type, named "Gwada negative," in a woman from Guadeloupe, marking the first new blood group discovered in over a century. The finding was announced by France's blood supply agency after analyzing a blood sample obtained during routine pre-surgical testing. The discovery was officially recognized by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) in June, making it the 48th blood group system identified worldwide.

The initial detection of an unusual antibody in the patient traces back to 2011, but limited resources delayed further investigation until 2019 when advanced DNA sequencing techniques revealed a genetic mutation responsible for this unique blood type. The patient, a 54-year-old woman residing in Paris, was the only individual found to carry this blood type, which is inherited from both parents who each possessed the mutated gene.

Named "Gwada negative" in honor of her Caribbean origins, the blood type's discovery is significant for improving medical care for patients with rare blood groups. The research team hopes to identify additional individuals with this blood type to better understand its implications. This breakthrough emphasizes the expanding landscape of blood group systems unveiled through modern genetic analysis, offering new hope for personalized transfusion medicine.

This discovery underscores the importance of ongoing research in blood diversity and the potential to enhance transfusion safety and compatibility for rare blood group carriers.