India recently garnered international attention in the field of medicine with the identification of a novel blood group known as CRIB, discovered in a 38-year-old woman in Kolar, located close to Bengaluru.
This discovery, validated after extensive research over several months, may transform the methods employed by healthcare providers in managing blood transfusions, addressing uncommon blood disorders, and enhancing patient safety.
WHAT IS CRIB?
The newly recognized blood group is part of the Cromer system. The acronym “CRIB” represents Cromer, India, and Bengaluru—the location of its initial identification.
Dr. Prathiba L, a Consultant in Transfusion Medicine at SIMS Hospital in Chennai, explains, “Human blood is significantly more intricate than the basic A, B, AB, and O classifications familiar to us. The identification of CRIB marks a significant breakthrough that emphasizes the depth of our ongoing learning regarding blood groups.”
HOW WAS IT IDENTIFIED?
The unusual blood type was discovered in a 38-year-old woman from southern India. While preparing for surgery, doctors at Rotary Bangalore TTK Blood Centre encountered difficulties in finding a suitable blood match during testing.
Her blood exhibited atypical reactions with every sample provided. Consequently, her case was sent to the International Blood Group Reference Laboratory (IBGRL) in the UK, which, after a 10-month evaluation, determined that it represented a previously unrecognized blood group.
WHY IS IT SIGNIFICANT?
Blood transfusions can be lifesaving in critical situations such as surgeries, childbirth, or trauma. However, individuals with rare blood types often face significant risks when a compatible donor is not swiftly located.
In these circumstances, haemolytic transfusion reactions may arise, wherein the patient’s immune system attacks the transfused blood. “Conditions like thalassemia, sickle cell disease, and aplastic anaemia necessitate multiple transfusions. These patients are already at an increased risk of complications from incompatible blood,” Dr. Prathiba states to IndiaToday.in.
THE NEED FOR BETTER REGISTRIES
The emergence of CRIB has shed light on the deficiencies in India’s existing blood donation and transfusion frameworks. “This case underscores the urgent requirement for a comprehensive national registry for rare blood donors and stronger international cooperation in blood matching,” Dr. Kural remarks.
BEYOND TRANSFUSIONS: A BROADER PERSPECTIVE
Medical professionals assert that this discovery extends beyond the realm of transfusions. Its implications are substantial for:
– Immunogenetics: gaining insights into how our immune systems interact with various blood types
– Organ transplantation: enhancing the matching process between donors and recipients
– Critical care and prenatal diagnostics: ensuring safety in high-risk medical interventions
– Emergency readiness: enabling prompt action in response to rare blood type occurrences
“The identification of CRIB compels us to reconsider blood typing protocols within advanced healthcare facilities. With more than 43 recognized blood group systems, neglecting subtypes like this could lead to severe adverse reactions,” warns Dr. Prathiba.
Dr. Kural further emphasizes that with continued investments in immunology and genetics, India could emerge as a global frontrunner in transfusion medicine, providing benefits to patients not only domestically but throughout the world.
