EXPLORE!

New Blood Group 'Gwada Negative' Identified After 15-Year Study

  821 Views

CNBCTV18.com    27 June 2025

“Researchers from the French Blood Establishment (EFS) identified the world’s 48th blood group system in a woman from Guadeloupe living in Paris.”


The French Blood Establishment (EFS) discovered the 48th blood group system in the world, which was officially recognized by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT). This rare blood type, named ‘Gwada negative,’ was defined by the absence of the EMM antigen, a high-frequency marker found on red blood cells.


The discovery began in 2011 when a 54-year-old woman from Guadeloupe, living in Paris, underwent routine blood tests before surgery. Her sample presented unusual characteristics that did not match any known blood group system.


 Despite efforts, the case remained unsolved for eight years. In 2019, researchers used high-throughput DNA sequencing and identified that the woman had inherited the blood type from both parents, who each carried a mutated version of the same gene.


The term Gwada negative was chosen to honor the woman's Guadeloupean heritage and to give the blood type an internationally distinctive name. The EFS announced the discovery in June, noting that the woman was only compatible with her blood, as no other known donor could provide a safe transfusion.


The finding has drawn interest among experts and may impact rare blood matching in the future.


(Source:https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/healthcare/what-is-gwada-negative-the-rarest-blood-group-discovered-after-15-years-of-research-19627500.htm)

To comment on this article,
create a free account.

Sign Up to instantly get access to 10000+ Articles & 1000+ Cases

Already registered?

Login Now

Most Popular Articles

News and Updates

eMediNexus provides latest updates on medical news, medical case studies from India. In-depth medical case studies and research designed for doctors and healthcare professionals.