Rare Blood Group: CRIB

PWOnlyIAS

August 02, 2025

Rare Blood Group: CRIB

A 38-year-old woman from Kolar has been identified with a never-before-seen blood group, officially named CRIB, marking a global milestone in transfusion medicine.

About CRIB

  • Discovery: Detected at Rotary Bangalore TTK Blood Centre after her blood showed “panreactive” behavior, meaning it was incompatible with all tested samples.
  • International Validation: Confirmed by the International Blood Group Reference Laboratory (IBGRL), UK, after 10 months of molecular and antigen testing.

International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT)

  • The International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT), founded in 1935, is a global scientific society dedicated to improving the safety and quality of blood transfusion.
  • Central Office : Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  • It advocates for blood donor and patient welfare through the ISBT Code of Ethics and collaborates as a Non-State Actor with WHO.
  • It also organizes webinars, workshops, live journal clubs, and international and regional congresses.
  • ISBT Congress: The ISBT Congress serves as a premier platform for global collaboration.
    • The 2025 Congress in Milan focused on “Innovations in Rare Blood and Transfusion Safety.”

  • Nomenclature: Named CRIBCR for Cromer blood group system, and IB for India, Bengaluru – at the 35th ISBT Congress (Milan, 2025).
  • Unique Feature: Represents a new antigen within the Cromer system, making her the first person globally to present with this antigen.

PWOnlyIAS Extra Edge

  • The Cromer blood group system consists of antigens located on the Decay-Accelerating Factor (DAF/CD55) protein present on red blood cells.
    • It includes 20+ antigens, with Cromer (Cr^a) being the most common.

What is a Blood Group?

A blood group is classified based on specific antigens present on the surface of red blood cells. These antigens determine compatibility for transfusions.

Types of Blood Groups and Associated Antigens

Blood Group Antigens Present on RBCs Compatible Plasma Antibodies
A A antigen Anti-B
B B antigen Anti-A
AB A and B antigens None
O None Anti-A and Anti-B
Rh+ D antigen present None against D antigen
Rh- No D antigen Can form Anti-D

  • Antigens are molecules, usually proteins or sugars, found on the surface of red blood cells that can trigger an immune response.
  • The Rh(Rehsus) factor is a protein found on the surface of red blood cells. If the protein is present, the blood type is Rh-positive; if it’s absent, the blood type is Rh-negative

What Are Rare Blood Groups?

  • Definition: Rare blood groups occur when individuals lack “high-frequency” antigens found in most populations, making it difficult to find compatible blood for transfusion.
  • Global Prevalence: Classified as:
    • Less Rare: 1–2% prevalence.
    • Very Rare: <1%, often involving 3–4 missing antigens.

Examples of Rare Blood Groups in India and Worldwide

  • Rh null (“Golden Blood”): Absence of all Rh antigens.
  • D- – Blood Type: lacks common Rh antigens, extremely rare.
  • In b Negative : absence of Indian system antigen.
  • Gwada Negative : Identified recently in Guadeloupe.
  • Bombay Blood Group (hh Phenotype): Lacks h antigens  which are found across  A, B and O Group.
  • CRIB: Newly discovered Cromer antigen from India.

Need for a Rare Blood Donor Registry in India

  • Patients with rare groups develop antibodies against missing antigens, making transfusion matching difficult.
  • Current Efforts: Rotary Bangalore TTK Blood Centre and partners launched a Rare Blood Donor Programme (2024).
    • It aims to build a national registry integrated with e-Rakt Kosh.
      • Out of 2,108 O-group donors, 21 rare types were identified.
  • Future Approach: Use of  autologous transfusion or iron supplementation for planned surgeries in rare-group patients.
    • Autologous transfusion is a procedure where a patient’s own blood is collected, stored, and re-infused during surgery or treatment.

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
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Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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