Untransfusable: The Case of the Woman Only Compatible with Herself

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Abstract:

  • In 2011, a 54-year-old woman from Guadeloupe, living in Paris, underwent routine blood tests before surgery. Medical staff were unable to match her blood to any known type. (Live Science)

  • That unidentified antibody only showed up during her pre-operative screening. Technology back then wasn’t advanced enough to explain the anomaly, and the case was shelved for years. (The Times of India)

Discovery Process

A blood sample under examination during the investigation that led to the discovery of a new human blood group, ending a 50-year medical mystery.
Image credit: Andrew Brookes via Getty Images

  • In 2019, researchers revisited the case using high-throughput DNA sequencing, including whole-genome analysis. (Live Science)

  • They uncovered a previously unknown mutation in the PIGZ gene, which alters how proteins anchor to the surfaces of red blood cells. The woman inherited this rare variant from both parents. (Live Science)

  • That blood type was officially recognized as the 48th blood group system by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) in mid‑2025. It was named “Gwada negative”, a nod to her Guadeloupe origins. (The Economic Times)

Unique Compatibility

  • So far, she remains the only known person on Earth with this blood group.

  • Her blood reacts negatively to all other known donor types, meaning only her own blood is compatible with her—no one else can donate to her safely. (Live Science)

Scientific and Medical Significance

  • This discovery highlights the complexity of blood typing. Beyond the familiar ABO and Rh systems, there are dozens of less common ones—Gwada negative now joins as the 48th major blood group. (The Economic Times)

  • In transfusion medicine, identifying such ultra-rare types is crucial. Incompatible transfusions can trigger severe immune reactions—even death—when hidden antigens are involved. (The Economic Times)

  • The EFS (French Blood Establishment) plans to screen blood donors—especially in the Guadeloupe region—hoping to find more carriers of the rare mutation and build a registry for safer transfusions. (The Economic Times)

Timeline at a Glance

Year

Age

Event

2011

54

Unidentified antibody observed during pre-surgery blood testing. Case put on hold.

2019 to 2021

62 to 64

Whole-genome sequencing followed by in-depth genetic analysis confirming PIGZ gene mutation.

2025

68

ISBT officially recognizes “Gwada negative” as the 48th blood group.

Key Lessons

  1. Rare doesn’t mean irrelevant — even a single case of an unknown blood type needs attention, as it can guide life-saving protocols.

  2. Genetic sequencing is transformative — this discovery wouldn’t have been possible without modern genome tools.

  3. Ancestral and regional roots matter — rare genetic traits often cluster within specific populations, so targeted screening is important.

Why This Case Matters

  • It shows extreme individual uniqueness in human biology—a single-person blood group.

  • It pushes forward the need for personalized transfusion plans, especially for patients with unexplained blood incompatibilities.

  • It demonstrates how modern genetic science continues to reshape our understanding of basic medical systems—even one as fundamental as blood types.

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