Overview

• After ten months of molecular and serological testing by the International Blood Group Reference Laboratory, the patient’s blood was confirmed to carry a previously undescribed antigen in the Cromer system now designated CRIB by the ISBT.
• Her sample showed panreactivity at Rotary Bangalore TTK Blood Centre, and testing of 20 of her relatives revealed no compatible donors.
• When she underwent cardiac surgery in February 2024, physicians managed her care without any allogeneic transfusion through meticulous preoperative planning.
• Teams are now establishing autologous transfusion protocols, including preoperative hemoglobin boosting and self-donation, for any future procedures.
• Bangalore Medical Services Trust’s Rare Blood Donor programme, launched in January 2024, has identified 21 rare donors among more than 2,100 tested and continues to expand its registry.