Chennai doctors successfully performed a groundbreaking kidney transplant for a Bombay blood group patient, overcoming donor mismatch. Although the donor was the patient’s non-Bombay mother, the team used advanced double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) to remove anti-H antibodies, combined with monoclonal antibody injections and immunosuppressive therapy, ensuring a successful, complication-free transplant.
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Chennai doctors achieved a kidney transplant for a Bombay blood group patient.
The Bombay blood group, also known as the HH blood group, is an extremely rare blood type first discovered in Mumbai in 1952.
Individuals with this blood group lack the H antigen, which is the foundational structure for the A and B antigens found in most blood types. As a result, their red blood cells cannot form A or B antigens, even if they have the genes for them.
They have strong anti-H antibodies. These antibodies will attack any blood containing the H antigen, meaning they can only accept blood from another person with the Bombay blood group.
The recipient’s immune system will reject organs from donors with any other blood type. This makes finding a compatible donor extremely difficult, as the Bombay blood group is exceptionally rare, occurring in about 1 in 4 million people globally.
The patient’s mother, who did not have the Bombay blood group, donated her kidney. To overcome the blood group mismatch, the medical team employed a technique called double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP), originally developed in Japan.
DFPP procedure removes antibodies from the patient’s blood, including the anti-H antibodies that would cause organ rejection.
Doctors also administered monoclonal antibody injections to deplete B cells, which produce antibodies, and used immunosuppressive therapy to reduce the risk of rejection.
By carefully monitoring and lowering the antibody levels, doctors achieved a safe point for the transplant. The surgery was successful, and the patient recovered without complications.
Way Forward
This successful transplant confirms that cross-blood group transplants are possible even for this rare blood type, provided the right techniques and precautions are taken. The use of plasmapheresis, immunosuppressive therapy, and careful antibody management opens new doors for patients who previously had no hope of receiving organs from mismatched donors.
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q.In the question given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Mark your answer as per the codes provided: Assertion (A): The Bombay blood group can donate to O blood group individuals. Reason (R): The Bombay blood group does not have A, B, or H antigens. Which of the options given below is correct? A) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A. B) Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A. C) A is true, but R is false. D) A is false, but R is true. Answer: D Explanation: The Bombay blood group lacks A, B, and H antigens, making Reason (R) correct. However, people with Bombay blood group CANNOT donate to O blood group individuals because O group still has the H antigen. Only Bombay blood group individuals can donate to other Bombay blood group individuals, making Assertion (A) false. |
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