Ottawa: Most of people are aware of their blood type, but the recent discovery of a new group of blood types by Scientists is being described as important for saving lives.
According to scientists, this new blood group has been named “ER”. The ER can help doctors understand health problems when blood types are incompatible.
Hematologist at the University Health Network Dr. Christine Cserti-Gazdewich said thta it all started when 30 or more people from different parts of the world experienced side effects of the immune system, whether it was a person’s transfusion or between a person and their unborn child. This new ER blood group has been ranked 44th in the list of prevalent blood groups like A, B and O.
Researchers say that based on genetic differences, a total of five ER antigens have been included in this group. When the body produces antigens, they match the ER antigens, and when they identify something external, the immune cells attack some kind of blood transfusion or mismatched cells during pregnancy.
“Most humans have the same version of molecules and there are a few people in the world who don’t have this molecule or have a different version that when they are exposed to a wild type or a common version, they start making antibodies and reject that blood cell,” said Dr. Christine Cserti-Gazdewich.
Doctors found this new blood type on an operation on a UK woman whose unborn child had died. Unidentified antibodies were found in this woman’s blood, due to which this blood group could be revealed.
Scientists say that this may be a unique discovery, but its understanding will help those doctors who have difficulty in diagnosing the disease of their patients.