A new blood type has been discovered: Gwada Negative

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Creation Date: June 23, 2025 12:21

This new system, called “Gwada negative”, has been recognized internationally as the 48th blood group system, in addition to the 47 already defined. The statement was made official by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) at a meeting held in Milan, Italy in June.

A 15-YEAR-OLD RIDDLE HAS BEEN RESOLVED

An unusual antibody was first detected in routine pre-operative tests on a 54-year-old woman living in Paris in 2011. However, the technological possibilities at the time did not allow for further investigation.

After many years, in 2019, thanks to high-capacity DNA sequencing technologies, scientists managed to determine the source of this mysterious antibody.

THERE IS NO UNIQUE IN THE WORLD

Thierry Peyrard, a medical biologist at the EFS, said the woman inherited this rare genetic mutation from her mother and father. "She is the only one compatible with her. No one else in the world has this blood type," Peyrard said, emphasizing that the woman is currently the only known carrier.

WHAT DOES “GWADA NEGATIVE” MEAN AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

The new blood type is called "Gwada negative" and refers to the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe (locally known as Gwada) where the woman is from. The name quickly caught on with scientists because it "sounds good in all languages", Peyrard said.

The discovery of new blood groups is of vital importance, especially for patients with rare blood groups. “The discovery of new blood groups enables better and safer healthcare to be provided to patients with rare blood types,” the EFS statement said.

Modern blood group classifications, which began with the ABO system in the early 1900s, have accelerated in recent years with the advancement of DNA technologies. Scientists are now investigating whether there are other individuals with the Gwada negative blood type.