DID YOU KNOW THIS ABOUT THE RAREST BLOOD GROUP?

Anusha Gupta

Tears and prayers can’t always save lives, but the blood we donate can. Whenever we go to donate blood, doctors test our blood group and categorise it in different blood groups. Our blood is stored in blood banks and is given to needy patients as and when their need arises.

So, what is your blood group? AB, A, B, O or something else?

Other than the 4 major blood groups, there exists a rare, 5^th blood group too – The Bombay Blood Group.

The Bombay Blood Group

It is known as the Bombay Blood Group as it was discovered by Dr. Y. M. Bhende in 1952 in Bombay (Mumbai), India. It is also known as Oh or h/h blood group. It is the rarest type of blood group and has been reported in 1 in 10,000 individuals in India, whereas in Europe it is 1 in 1 million individuals!

Why is it called the HH Group?

An individual with the Bombay phenotype does not express an H-antigen. An H-antigen defines the O-phenotype. As a result, there is no A and B antigens in their red blood cells.

Structure of the Bombay Blood Group

Normally, everyone has an H-antigen which is converted to their respective glycoprotein depending upon the enzyme which is carried by the person.

Story of its Discovery

In1952 Dr. Y. M. Bhende, Dr. C. K. Deshpande and Dr. H. M. Bhatia of the Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College, Bombay published a note in The Lancet (3th May 1952) about two patients (A and B) who needed a blood transfusion. None of the blood types known until then worked for them. The moment their blood sample was mixed with any of the known types, the blood coagulated. The doctors tried the blood of over 200 donors and find out that Mr. C, suited the type of both A and B. so this donor blood type was named by Dr. Bhende and others as ‘Bombay Blood Type’.

Compatibility with other Blood Groups

Due to the absence of H, A and B antigens, people who have Bombay blood phenotype can donate red blood cells to any member of ABO blood group system, but they cannot receive blood from any member of the ABO blood group system, and only from other people who have the Bombay blood type.

The usual test for ABO blood group system will show Bombay blood group as group O. This cannot be prevented unless the lab technologist that is involved is aware of the existence of the Bombay blood group and has the means to test for it.

Arranging for the Bombay Blood Group

To arrange for the Bombay blood group, we can follow some simple steps-

Get blood group tests of all the members of patient’s family and relatives. It is very likely that one or the other relative has this group.
Be open to getting blood from other cities.
Put up a request for the requirement in the leading newspaper.
One of the most effective ways is to visit all the blood banks of the city as well as neighboring cities. Usually, blood banks have a huge list of donors.
If any of this doesn’t work out, then you can ask for the help from Bombay blood group helpline number 080-6733555 or you can visit www.bloodforsure.com to get any type of blood during an emergency.

“Don’t let mosquitoes get your blood first. Donate it fast.”

The Bombay blood group is one of the rarest groups out there, and the onus for maintaining an effective reserve for emergency situations is on the general public. Donate blood to save someone’s life. Visit this website to donate blood.

Our body does not get affected if we donate blood, and the blood lost is replenished just as quickly.

What are your thoughts on the Bombay blood group? Have an experience to share? Reach out to us in the comments section below!