New Blood Group Discovered: World Rarest Blood Types Revealed by Scientists

New Blood Group Discovered: World Rarest Blood Types Revealed by Scientists

The world of blood groups is far more complex than the familiar A, B, AB, and O types most people know about. In recent years, scientists have uncovered new blood group systems that are not only medically important but also incredibly rare. These discoveries have transformed our understanding of transfusion medicine and the genetic diversity of human blood. In 2024 and 2025, three major breakthroughs occurred: the identification of the MAL blood group system, the extremely rare Gwada-negative type, and a newly identified antigen variant in India known as CRIB.

One of the most groundbreaking discoveries was the identification of the MAL blood group system. This system centers on a rare antigen called AnWj, which puzzled scientists for over 50 years. Although the antigen was known to cause complications in blood transfusions, its genetic origin remained a mystery. A team of researchers from NHS Blood and Transplant in the UK, in collaboration with international experts, finally solved the puzzle by linking the antigen to a specific protein encoded by the MAL gene.

Individuals who lack this gene are classified as AnWj-negative, and their bodies may react severely if transfused with blood containing the AnWj antigen. Some people can lose this antigen temporarily due to illness, but in rare inherited cases, individuals are born completely AnWj-negative. This discovery has practical implications because it allows for the development of genetic screening tools to identify donors and recipients with this rare profile. In recognition of its importance, the International Society of Blood Transfusion officially designated MAL as the world’s 47th blood group system in 2024.

While the MAL discovery answered an old question, the next finding was entirely new and unprecedented. In 2025, doctors in France reported the case of a woman from Guadeloupe with a blood type never seen before. Her red blood cells had a completely unique antigen structure caused by a mutation in the PIGZ gene. This gene plays a crucial role in attaching certain proteins to the surface of red blood cells. Because of this mutation, the woman’s blood was not compatible with any other known blood type. She could only receive transfusions from herself, making her blood type the rarest ever recorded.

The researchers named this type Gwada-negative, after her home island, and it was officially recognized as the 48th blood group system. The discovery of such a one-in-the-world case highlights the depth of genetic variation in human populations and the challenges faced in transfusion medicine when dealing with such rare individuals.

Not long after, India contributed its own discovery to the growing list of rare blood types. In Karnataka, a 38-year-old woman presented with an unusual reaction during routine blood screening. Her blood reacted with every donor sample tested, raising alarms among doctors.

After months of investigation and international collaboration with the ISBT’s lab in the UK, researchers confirmed that her blood carried a previously unknown antigen variant within the Cromer blood group system. They named this new antigen CRIB, combining the words Cromer, India, and Bengaluru, the city where she lives. She is currently the only known person in the world with this blood type, and her case emphasizes how many rare or unknown antigen patterns may still exist, especially in genetically diverse countries like India.

These new discoveries have deep implications. Blood transfusions are critical in surgeries, childbirth, trauma care, and chronic disease treatment. A mismatch in even a rare antigen can trigger dangerous immune reactions. Understanding and identifying rare blood groups like MAL, Gwada-negative, and CRIB helps doctors avoid these risks and save lives.

Furthermore, this research also supports better care for pregnant women. Incompatibility between the mother’s and baby’s blood can lead to serious conditions, and deeper blood group knowledge enables better diagnosis and preventive care.

In conclusion, the identification of new blood groups in recent years represents a major advancement in medical science. Each new finding brings us closer to safer, more personalized healthcare. The stories of these rare individuals whether from the Caribbean, the UK, or India are not just scientific milestones but also human stories that remind us of the incredible diversity within our species.

As science progresses, we can expect even more discoveries that will continue to reshape how we understand blood, genetics, and the connections that tie us all together.

 

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