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PARIS — French researchers have announced the discovery of a new blood type, named “Gwada negative,” in a woman originally from the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe. The finding marks the 48th blood group system recognized worldwide and was officially confirmed by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) during its meeting in Milan earlier this month.
The breakthrough came 15 years after scientists first received a blood sample from the patient, who was undergoing routine pre-surgical tests. In 2011, medical biologists detected a “very unusual” antibody in her blood, but limited resources at the time delayed further investigation. Advanced DNA sequencing technology enabled researchers to finally unravel the mystery in 2019, revealing a unique genetic mutation responsible for the new blood type.
The woman, who was 54 years old at the time of the initial discovery and residing in Paris, is currently the only known individual in the world with this blood type. “She is undoubtedly the only known case in the world,” said Thierry Peyrard, a medical biologist at the French Blood Establishment (EFS) involved in the research. “She is the only person in the world who is compatible with herself”.
The designation “Gwada negative” was chosen to honor the patient’s Caribbean heritage and to ensure the name is easily pronounced in multiple languages. According to Peyrard, the woman inherited the rare blood type from both parents, each carrying the mutated gene.
The EFS emphasized that the discovery of new blood groups is critical for advancing care for patients with rare blood types. The agency is now actively searching for other potential carriers, especially among blood donors in Guadeloupe.
Following this discovery, the scientific community is optimistic that further research will help identify additional individuals with this unique blood type, improving transfusion safety and personalized medical care for rare cases.
Disclaimer:
This news article is based on information from multiple reputable sources as of June 2025. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the details may evolve as further research is conducted. The discovery of the “Gwada negative” blood type is a significant scientific milestone, but it remains a rare and unique case at present.
