India has identified the world’s rarest blood group — CRIB, in a 38-year-old woman from Bengaluru, in collaboration with UK scientists. Classified under the Cromer blood group system, CRIB lacks a common antigen, making blood transfusions extremely difficult as no donor match exists.
Overview
In a historic breakthrough for transfusion medicine, scientists from India and the UK have identified the world’s rarest blood group, named CRIB, in a 38-year-old woman from Kolar, near Bengaluru. This discovery, hailed as a milestone in global healthcare, could transform critical care, prenatal diagnostics, and blood donation protocols worldwide.
The Rare Discovery
- Her blood showed panreactivity, incompatible with every known sample tested.
- Surgeons performed her surgery without a transfusion due to lack of compatible blood.
- Experts confirmed the presence of the newly identified CRIB blood group.
What is the CRIB Blood Group?
The CRIB blood group is a new and extremely rare type classified under the Cromer blood group system. It is the rarest blood group discovered, with only one known case worldwide. CR stands for Cromer, IB for India and Bengaluru. Part of the INRA system, recognized by ISBT in 2022.
Why is CRIB So Unique?
- The human body recognizes blood through 47 blood group systems.
- The Bengaluru woman had a unique antigen within the Cromer system.
- No blood bank had a matching donor due to the uniqueness of the antigen.
The Cromer Blood Group System
The Cromer system includes common and rare antigens. Antibodies against rare antigens can develop due to pregnancy, transfusions, or genetic mutations. The Bengaluru woman’s case confirmed the presence of the new CRIB antigen despite no previous transfusions.
Medical and Global Significance
- CRIB enhances understanding of rare blood incompatibilities in critical care and surgery.
- It may be crucial in prenatal medicine, especially for fetal and neonatal hemolytic diseases.
- It sets the stage for global cooperation in rare blood donor registries due to the scarcity of compatible samples.
Key Takeaways for Competitive Exams
- The discovery of the CRIB blood group in India marks a significant milestone in transfusion medicine.
- Understanding the uniqueness of the CRIB blood group can aid in critical care, prenatal diagnostics, and rare blood donor registries.
- The global implications of the CRIB discovery highlight the need for international collaboration in healthcare research.
