24 June 2025

Discovery of Unique Blood Type Gwada Negative Raises Hope for Rare Blood Donations

A woman from Guadeloupe has been identified as the sole known carrier of a new blood type, named Gwada negative, according to Frances blood supply agency, the French Blood Establishment (EFS). This announcement comes 15 years after researchers first received a blood sample from the patient during routine pre-surgery tests.

The EFS recently shared the news on LinkedIn, stating, The EFS has just discovered the 48th blood group system in the world! This discovery was officially recognized in June by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT), which previously acknowledged 47 blood group systems.

Thierry Peyrard, a medical biologist at the EFS involved in the discovery, explained to AFP that a very unusual antibody was first detected in the patient back in 2011. However, due to limited resources at the time, further research could not be conducted. It wasn't until 2019, with advancements in high-throughput DNA sequencing, that scientists were able to identify a genetic mutation responsible for this unique blood type.

The patient, who was 54 years old and residing in Paris at the time of the discovery, was undergoing routine tests when the unknown antibody was found. According to Peyrard, She is undoubtedly the only known case in the world, emphasizing that she is the only person compatible with her own blood type. The woman inherited this rare blood type from both her parents, who each carried the mutated gene.

The name Gwada negative was chosen to reflect the patients Caribbean roots and has been well-received by experts, as it is easily pronounced in multiple languages. The ABO blood group system was first identified in the early 1900s, and recent advancements in DNA sequencing have accelerated the discovery of new blood types.

Peyrard and his team are now eager to find others with the same blood type. According to the EFS, Discovering new blood groups means offering patients with rare blood types a better level of care. This discovery could have significant implications for blood donation and transfusion practices, particularly in diverse populations like South Africa, where genetic variations in blood types are common.