CRIB Blood Group

CRIB Blood Group: Recently, a new blood group called as CRIB previously unidentified anywhere in the world, has been discovered in a South Indian woman from Kolar district, Karnataka.

• About CRIB Blood Group: A newly identified blood group that belongs to the Cromer (CR) blood group system.

o The name CRIB stands for ‘Cromer India Bangalore’, acknowledging its discovery in India.

o This is the first time this blood group has been identified anywhere in the world.

o The discovery was officially announced at the 35th Regional Congress of the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT) in Milan, Italy.

o After 10 months of molecular testing and research, international experts confirmed the presence of a new antigen within the Cromer system.

o The naming and classification of new blood antigens are governed by the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT).

• Importance : The Cromer blood group system includes 12 high-frequency and 3 low-frequency antigens found on a protein called decay-accelerating factor (DAF).

o Identifying new antigens like CRIB improves: Global transfusion safety, Compatibility testing and Donor-recipient matching in critical situations such as surgeries, organ transplants, and emergencies.