Woman Found With Blood Type That Matches Only Herself
A 68-year-old woman from Guadeloupe has stunned scientists with the discovery of a completely new blood type that exists only in her. Named “Gwada Negative”, this unique blood group makes her the only person in the world who is compatible with her blood.
A Blood Type That Defies All Others
The woman came to medical attention in 2011, during routine checkups in Paris before a scheduled surgery. When doctors tried to match her blood group, they were puzzled it didn’t fit into any known category. For years, the case remained unsolved.
Finally, in 2019, researchers revisited her case using advanced genetic testing. They discovered a rare mutation in a gene called PIGZ, which changes how proteins stick to red blood cells. This mutation gave rise to a blood type the world had never seen.
Inherited From Both Parents
Scientists believe the woman inherited this blood group from both her parents, each of whom carried the rare mutated gene. But only when both copies combine one from each parent does this unique blood type appear. So far, no other person on Earth shares this exact blood group.
“It’s very unusual,” said Thierry Peyrard, a medical biologist from France’s National Blood Service (EFS). “She is the only person in the world who is compatible with herself.”
The Science Behind Blood Types
Most people are familiar with the ABO blood group system, discovered by Dr. Karl Landsteiner. In this system:
- People with type A have A antigens.
- People with type B have B antigens.
- People with AB have both and can receive blood from anyone.
- People with O have neither and can only receive blood from other O donors.
However, beyond ABO, there are 47 other recognized blood group systems, and new ones are still being discovered, thanks to modern genetic tools like high-throughput DNA sequencing.
Why Rare Blood Types Matter
Our immune system reacts strongly to unfamiliar antigens. If someone receives blood that doesn’t match their type, their body may see it as a threat and reject it as a dangerous, sometimes fatal, reaction.
This is why discovering rare blood types like Gwada Negative is so important. It helps:
- Improve the safety of blood transfusions,
- Offer better care to people with rare conditions,
- Expand the understanding of how genetics influence blood.
What’s Next for Scientists?
The research team presented their findings at the International Society of Blood Transfusion Congress in Milan earlier this month. They are now working to find other people who might carry similar genetic traits perhaps unknowingly to help improve access to compatible blood for patients with rare types.
Conclusion
This discovery is a powerful reminder that there’s still so much to learn about the human body. The case of this 68-year-old woman not only reveals the potential of modern science but also emphasizes the importance of ongoing research in transfusion medicine and genetics.
As science advances, so does our ability to deliver personalized, safer, and more effective care even for the rarest of cases.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
Priya Bairagi
Reviewed by Dr Aarti Nehra (MBBS, MMST)
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
