Rare Blood Group Discovery: New 'CRIB' Antigen Found in Indian Woman

A 38-year-old South Indian woman was found to have a new blood group, previously unidentified anywhere in the world, at the Rotary Bangalore TTK Blood Centre. The International Blood Group Reference Laboratory in the UK named the new antigen "CRIB", with CR representing Cromer and IB standing for India, Bengaluru. The woman's blood sample was sent to the Advanced Immunohematology Reference Lab at Rotary Bangalore TTK Blood Centre, where it was found to be "Panreactive", incompatible with all samples tested.

A groundbreaking discovery in transfusion medicine has been made at the Rotary Bangalore TTK Blood Centre, where a new blood group, previously unidentified anywhere in the world, has been discovered in a 38-year-old South Indian woman. The International Blood Group Reference Laboratory (IBGRL) at Bristol, UK, has identified this new antigen as part of the Cromer (CR) blood group system and named it "CRIB". This discovery was presented at the 35th Regional Congress of the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) in Milan, Italy, on June 4, 2025 [1].

The woman, who was admitted to the R.L. Jalappa Hospital and Research Centre in Kolar for a cardiac surgery in February 2024, was found to have a blood group of O Positive. However, the hospital blood bank was unable to find a compatible unit of blood from their stock. Her blood sample was sent to the Advanced Immunohematology Reference Lab at Rotary Bangalore TTK Blood Centre, where it was found to be "Panreactive" – incompatible with all samples tested using advanced techniques [2].

The discovery of this new blood group, CRIB, is significant as it adds to the understanding of human blood group systems. The IBGRL, after 10 months of extensive research and molecular testing, reported that the woman has a never-before-described blood group antigen. The antigen was named CRIB, with CR representing Cromer and IB standing for India, Bengaluru [1].

To support the blood requirements of patients with rare blood groups, the Rotary Bangalore TTK Blood Centre's Bangalore Medical Services Trust (BMST), in association with the Karnataka State Blood Transfusion Council and ICMR’s National Institute of Immunohematology, launched a 'Rare Blood Donor' programme in January 2024 [2]. This programme aims to identify and provide optimal transfusion support to patients with rare blood types.

The discovery of the CRIB blood group is a testament to the advancements in transfusion medicine and the importance of rare blood donor registries. The Rotary Bangalore TTK Blood Centre has been instrumental in identifying and providing support to several other rare blood type patients, including those with D- -, Rh null, and In b negative blood types [2].

References:
[1] https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/blood-group-not-found-anywhere-else-in-the-world-discovered-at-rotary-bangalore-ttk-blood-centre/article69870107.ece
[2] https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/new-blood-group-not-found-anywhere-else-in-the-world-discovered-at-rotary-bangalore-ttk-blood-centre/article69870107.ece