A New Human Blood Group — CRIB
Syllabus: Science and Technology (UPSC Prelims)
Source: TNN
Context:
A rare human blood group named CRIB (Cromer India Bengaluru) has been discovered at the Rotary Bangalore TTK Blood Centre. It is the first globally recognized blood group of its kind, officially validated by the International Blood Group Reference Laboratory (IBGRL), UK.
What is CRIB Blood Group?
- CRIB stands for Cromer India Bengaluru, belonging to the Cromer blood group system, a rare antigen classification.
- This new antigen had never been observed in any human sample worldwide.
- Discovered in a 38-year-old South Indian woman during pre-operative screening for cardiac surgery in Kolar, Karnataka.
How Was It Discovered?
- The woman’s blood was panreactive—it reacted with all tested blood samples and was incompatible with even O+ blood.
- No suitable donor was found among 20 tested family members.
- The case was referred to IBGRL, UK, where after 10 months of molecular analysis, the new antigen was confirmed and named CRIB using ISBT nomenclature standards.
Significance of the Discovery:
- Scientific Breakthrough:
CRIB is now officially recognized in global transfusion medicine. - India’s Contribution:
Marks a milestone in rare blood immunogenetics, showcasing India’s growing role in advanced blood typing research. - Policy Relevance:
Emphasizes the need for rare blood donor registries, international collaboration, and genetic-level screening in transfusion services.
About the Cromer Blood Group System:
- The Cromer blood group system includes antigens found on the DAF (Decay-Accelerating Factor) protein on red blood cells.
- These antigens are crucial in immune reactions during blood transfusion and are rarely found in general populations.
