Scientists from Denmark and Sweden made a breakthrough in the field of transfusiology, discovering Method of blood transformation Group A and B to universal O. This discovery can revolutionize the practice of blood transfusion, especially in the conditions of a critical lack of universal donors.
Annually, about 10 million blood transfusions are carried out in the United States, but the blood deficiency of group O compatible with almost all patients remains an acute problem. Researchers have found that enzymes contained in the bacteria of intestinal microbioma are capable of removing sugars molecules on the surface of red blood cells, which leads to a change in their group to a universal O.
Dr. Harvi Klein from the US National Health Institutes emphasized the significance of these results, calling them a potentially large progress in the field of medicine. However, despite the successes, the technology of blood transformation is faced with difficulties associated with preserving the safety of transfused blood. In clinical trials, there are cases when modified blood still caused an immune response in recipients.
The main problem is the presence of advanced antigens that decompose more difficult and can provoke an immune response even after blood treatment. The study focused on the study of bacterial enzymes that can destroy these expanded forms of antigens. In particular, the bacterium A. Muciniphila contains unique enzymes that effectively remove both standard and expanded antigens.
Scientists have developed a “cocktail” from these enzymes, which quickly and effectively eliminates antigens from the surface of red blood cells, transforming blood into a universal group O. Experiments showed that the use of this method on cells obtained from donors of various blood groups leads to reducing the immune reaction when mixing with the blood of other groups.
At this stage, before the introduction of technology into clinical practice, additional tests in public are to be carried out. The team of researchers also plans to study other natural initial enzymes and it is possible to use artificial intelligence to create more effective and accurate versions of enzymes.
This discovery has great potential to increase the efficiency and safety of blood transfusion, especially in emergency situations when a quick and accurate determination of blood type can save life.