Bombay Blood Group

Source: IE

Context: India has successfully performed its first-ever cross-blood kidney transplant for a patient with the rare Bombay (hh) blood group .

About Bombay Blood Group:

• What is the Bombay Blood Group?

• A rare blood type (hh phenotype) first discovered in Mumbai (Bombay) in 1952 by Dr. Y.M. Bhende. Lacks the H antigen, which is the base structure for A and B antigens in the ABO blood group system.

• A rare blood type (hh phenotype) first discovered in Mumbai (Bombay) in 1952 by Dr. Y.M. Bhende.

• Lacks the H antigen, which is the base structure for A and B antigens in the ABO blood group system.

• Unique Characteristics

• Individuals with this blood type cannot receive blood from any ABO group, including O-negative, as it contains the H antigen. Can only receive blood from another Bombay blood group donor, making transfusions highly difficult. Prevalence: 1 in 10,000 in India, 1 in 1 million globally.

• Individuals with this blood type cannot receive blood from any ABO group, including O-negative, as it contains the H antigen.

• Can only receive blood from another Bombay blood group donor, making transfusions highly difficult.

• Prevalence: 1 in 10,000 in India, 1 in 1 million globally.

• Challenges in Blood Transfusion:

• Routine blood tests often misidentify Bombay blood group as O-type, leading to misdiagnosis and transfusion complications. Receiving blood with the H antigen can trigger an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction, causing severe immune responses.

• Routine blood tests often misidentify Bombay blood group as O-type, leading to misdiagnosis and transfusion complications.

• Receiving blood with the H antigen can trigger an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction, causing severe immune responses.

• Recent Medical Significance:

• In mid-2024, Chennai doctors at MIOT International successfully performed a cross-blood kidney transplant using a special plasmapheresis technique to remove antibodies. India’s first successful Bombay blood group kidney transplant was also reported at Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai, in February 2025, setting a medical precedent.

• In mid-2024, Chennai doctors at MIOT International successfully performed a cross-blood kidney transplant using a special plasmapheresis technique to remove antibodies.

• India’s first successful Bombay blood group kidney transplant was also reported at Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai, in February 2025, setting a medical precedent.