Scientists at the University of British Columbia (UBC) have discovered a gut bacterium that may transform blood transfusions across the globe. The bacterium, Akkermansia muciniphila, found naturally in the human gut, secretes enzymes that can convert blood types A, B, and AB to type O—the universal donor type. The discovery, reported in Nature Microbiology, may substantially resolve global blood shortages and enhance transfusion success in critical care situations.

Compatibility in blood groups is crucial in transfusions. Red blood cells of ours have antigens—specific sugar-protein molecules—on their surface. These antigens define our blood type (A, B, AB, or O). O blood cells don't have A and B antigens, and therefore, these are compatible for patients with A+, B+, AB+, or O+ blood. This is why type O, particularly O-negative, is the most sought-after blood group in emergency and trauma centers across the world.

However, blood donations usually don't meet the required demand. This is a serious problem because, while more than 117 million pints of blood are donated every year globally, still, there are mismatched types in both planned and emergency operations. If there were a safe and scalable way of converting A, B, and AB blood into O, healthcare systems would be revolutionized and thousands of lives could be saved.

The secret to this change is in the enzymes secreted by Akkermansia muciniphila. These enzymes hydrolyze mucin, a glycoprotein rich in sugar that lines and protects the gut. Interestingly, the structure of mucin is similar to the sugar chains present in blood group antigens.

Working with donor samples, UBC scientists extracted a particular pair of enzymes from the gut flora of an AB+ donor. These enzymes effectively broke down A and B antigens on red blood cells, essentially turning them into type O universal donor cells. The researchers even went on to work with a complete unit of A-type blood using this technology—a milestone never reached before using this level of efficiency and safety.

A key component of this finding was cracking the code for the structure of the new enzyme by using crystallography. The researchers collaborated with the Canadian Light Source (CLS) at the University of Saskatchewan to see the structure of the enzyme, which enabled them to know why it had such high affinity for A antigens and why it was more efficient and quicker than other enzymes utilized in similar endeavors before.

The enzymes performed impressively well, even on the recently-discovered longer A and B blood group variants—a feat that earlier conversion methods faltered at. Interestingly, the conversion of blood type B was more straightforward than that of type A, though both could be successfully treated under room temperature conditions in only 30 minutes, and without chemicals—a quantum leap in rendering the process viable for the clinic.

What is ECO Blood?

The scientists refer to the transformed samples as "enzyme-converted to O" or ECO blood. It takes only around 8 grams of the enzyme to convert 200ml of blood, indicating the process can be scaled up for practical medical application. In contrast to previous techniques first tried in 2007, which were hampered by efficiency and safety issues, this new technique is faster, cleaner, and more compatible with hospital environments.

ECHO blood is a term for echocardiography, a non-invasive medical imaging test that uses high-frequency sound waves to create detailed images of the heart in real-time. The imaging method enables physicians to evaluate the functioning of the heart by viewing its size, shape, pumping capability, and blood flow through the heart's chambers and valves. Echocardiography is important for diagnosing heart disease, heart health monitoring, and making decisions about treatment without surgery or the use of radiation.

These results are timely, as over half the population in nations such as Canada will require blood or have someone who does during their lifetime. Furthermore, shortages of blood are a worldwide problem, frequently compounded by emergencies, natural disasters, and pandemics that disrupt donation cycles. If effective in human trials and cleared for clinical use, this enzyme technology may become a pillar of contemporary transfusion medicine.

Although the discovery is a breakthrough, the scientists are being cautious. Although the type B blood conversion has been done effectively, further work is required to convert type A blood reliably and safely in all subtypes. Future research will aim to optimize these enzymatic reactions and scale up the process for clinical trials.

Lead researcher Dr. Stephen Withers pointed out the clinical significance, "Our conversion of RBCs was particularly conducted at the maximum red blood cell concentration, minimum assay time, and minimum temperature compared to existing literature. The conditions are important in terms of keeping it mild enough for use clinically.

This breakthrough illustrates the enormous potential of microbiome research to address some of medicine's most enduring challenges. By tapping into the untapped potential of gut bacteria, scientists could soon be eradicating blood type barriers—opening up a future in which safe, universal blood transfusions are no longer confined by compatibility.

How It Works?

Blood type is assigned by particular antigens—carbohydrate-based molecules—found on the surface of red blood cells. Type A people have A antigens, type B people have B antigens, and AB people have both. Type O people lack both A and B antigens, so their red blood cells are compatible for transfusion across the board, particularly in crisis situations when matching bloods might not be immediately on hand.

The enzymes from A. muciniphila effectively "shave off" the A and B antigens from red blood cells, reducing them to a neutral, antigen-free state—Type O. In the laboratory, scientists successfully treated Type A red blood cells with this enzymatic cocktail, stripping away the antigens effectively and within a relatively short time period of 30 minutes at room temperature. They also achieved similar results with Type B blood, and even with extended variants of A and B groups recently discovered.

Practically, around 8 grams of this enzyme blend can be used to convert 200 milliliters of A or B blood into "enzyme-converted to O" (ECO) blood. This conversion was achieved at high red blood cell concentration, under mild and additive-free conditions, which are best for clinical feasibility and safety of the patient.

How Does This Breakthrough Affect Healthcare?

The capacity to transform types A and B of blood into universal donor type O is a giant step in the history of transfusion medicine. Blood transfusions are salvage operations employed during surgery, traumatic injury, cancer therapy, and chronic disease, but they are reliant on blood group compatibility to prevent potentially lethal immune reactions. The major hindrance in emergency care and blood bankation is the scarcity of type O blood, which is the universal donor for Rhesus (Rh) factor positive individuals—representing close to 75% of the world's population.

Through the use of gut-derived enzymes from Akkermansia muciniphila to remove antigens from A and B red blood cells, scientists have created a new avenue for increasing the availability of universal blood. This could mean hospitals need to use donors and recipients less often based on matching by blood type, a process that all too frequently causes delay in such procedures, particularly in emergencies. It also would mean that short supplies or unusual blood types might be reduced through converting more typically available types into type O.

At a wider health care level, this innovation has the potential to ease the global shortage of blood donors, improve blood bank inventory management, and provide greater availability of blood in rural or under-resourced areas where certain types are difficult to obtain.

New Zealand has stepped up surveillance after the first detection of a dengue and Zika-carrying mosquito larvae in the country.

The larval species was confirmed as 'Aedes aegypti' — known to carry diseases including dengue fever, yellow fever, Zika, and chikungunya, across the globe.

As New Zealand does not normally have the mosquito species, the larvae detected were counted as "exotic".

The mosquito species did not cause any outbreak, but were spotted during a routine surveillance program in Auckland.

"The National Public Health Service has commenced a heightened surveillance and interception programme following mosquito larvae being collected from a routine surveillance trap at Queens Wharf, Auckland, on Monday 30 March," Health New Zealand said in a statement.

Health New Zealand reported that exotic species were occasionally found at ports and airports.

Not A Public Threat Yet

The health body noted that the larvae were not considered a public health or biosecurity threat yet because there was no indication they had become established.

But the agency aimed to continue "intensive monitoring for at least three weeks".

"The monitoring would take place within a 400m radius of the site where the larvae were identified. Health Protection Officers would place mosquito traps in the survey area," the statement said.

"These have been hidden away from plain sight so they are not disturbed, for example, in old tyres, bushes, or pools of water. We ask members of the public to avoid touching or disturbing these traps if they find them, as it may disrupt our monitoring and trapping efforts," medical officer of health Dr David Sinclair said.

Sinclair said New Zealanders were most at risk from diseases transmitted by mosquitoes when travelling overseas, including to Pacific Island countries and territories where dengue fever was known to be present.

Dengue Surging In 17 Countries

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued a travel alert of dengue outbreaks across 17 countries.

The CDC alert issued on March 23 identified 17 countries reporting an increased number of cases of dengue. These include: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Colombia, Cook Islands, Cuba, Guyana, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, New Caledonia, Pakistan, Samoa, Sudan, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, and the United States territories of American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, where local transmission is already common.

Also read: Long-term Exposure To Air Pollution Increases Fatality Rates In Dengue: Study

What Is Dengue?

Dengue is a disease caused by a virus spread through mosquito bites. It is transmitted through infected mosquitoes, primarily the species Aedes aegypti.

The breakbone fever is caused by an infection with any of four different dengue viruses. These include:

• Dengue virus type 1 (DENV-1 or DEN-1)

• Dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2 or DEN-2)

• Dengue virus type 3 (DENV-3 or DEN-3)

• Dengue virus type 4 (DENV-4 or DEN-4)

Also read: New dengue vaccine over 80% effective, prevents severe disease for up to 5 years

Common Symptoms of dengue include:

• Sudden onset of high-grade fever.

• Intense headache

• Severe muscle, joint, or bone pain.

• Skin Rash that often appears 2–5 days after the fever starts

• Nausea and Vomiting

• Minor bleeding

• Fatigue.

The COVID Cicada variant, currently circulating in 23 countries, is likely to affect children more than the previous variants.

Children have largely escaped severe illness from the SARS-COV-2 virus.

However, the new Cicada variant with around 75 genetic changes in its spike protein is likely to disproportionately affect children, as per an expert, who noted its presence in the UK.

“Some people have done analysis on this, suggesting it may be more prevalent among young children. Children get infections all the time, but this might be something to do with the fact that they have never been exposed to Covid vaccines," Prof Ravindra Gupta, of Cambridge University, who advised the UK government during the pandemic, was quoted as saying to The Mirror.

“So this is something we’re looking at in the lab to try and work out why. The problem with this is that it is an infection that spreads fast. Eventually, it ends up in someone vulnerable," he added.

Key Symptoms

Symptoms seem to be similar to those of other recent variants and include

• sore throat,
• cough,
• congestion,
• fatigue,
• headache
• fever.

Also read: Cicada Variant: Will The Current COVID Vaccine Provide Protection?

What Do The 75 Genetic Changes Mean?

Cicada, a descendant of the Omicron variant that emerged in 2021, was first detected in South Africa in 2024. However, it disappeared soon after, only to emerge early this year.

Prof Gupta told the publication that “the Cicada variant developed the 75 mutations to escape immunity, and it evolved by incubating a single patient for over a year”.

"This 'patient zero' would have been unable to clear the virus due to a compromised immune system," due to HIV or anti-cancer drugs.

Further, he explained that due to 75 mutations to the spike protein, the body’s antibodies will take a longer time to fight the Cicada variant.

However, there is no evidence yet that it is likely to cause more severe disease.

Will The Cicada Variant Cause Severe Illness?

The Cicada variant is particularly concerning as it provides no immune protection to people with previous infection or even vaccination.

Yet, the World Health Organization and health experts advise that existing COVID vaccinations can help prevent severe illness and hospitalization.

"It would appear that all the protections we have from our experience with the virus and with vaccines probably offer more limited—not zero—but more limited protection against this strain," Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, was quoted as saying by Time.

Also read: COVID Variant BA.3.2 Spreads To 23 Countries: Is The Variant Under Monitoring A Cause Of Worry?

How To Safeguard

Dr. Sai Balasubramanian, a doctor and healthcare strategy executive, writing in Forbes, stressed the need to follow COVID practices such as masks and hand hygiene.

"Healthcare professionals recommend taking general precautions, similar to those used to prevent most viral transmission: get vaccinations when appropriate, wear masks in crowded areas or indoors where there is a high risk of transmission," he said.

He also urged “avoid individuals who have known illness or infections, wash hands frequently, and continue to stay apprised of local community guidelines and the infection spread”.

GLP-1 drugs are powerful tools that can improve health, but it comes with risks and caveats. While these are medical therapies, they are being misused as cosmetic products by cosmetologists, physiotherapists, dermatologists, among others.

To curb its misuse and improve public health, the Indian government today issued guidelines on its use, while also flagging risks around it.

In an official statement issued today, the government has stated that it will roll out stricter inspections to curb the misuse of GLP-1 drugs in the country and will punish those who violate the rules.

“GLP-1 drugs are a significant medical breakthrough in treating type 2 diabetes and obesity, but they are not without risk. The drugs carry a wide range of side effects - from common symptoms like nausea and vomiting to severe complications including pancreatitis, kidney injury, and bowel obstruction. These risks make it essential that GLP-1 drugs are only taken under the supervision of registered medical practitioners/specialists,” the statement said.

In the wake of its hype over weight loss, the country's regulatory authorities have taken firm steps to prevent unsupervised use and malpractices in the supply chain.

It has “strongly advised” patients and the public to” consult a qualified medical specialist before use, and to obtain these medications with prescription only through legitimate, regulated channels”.

“Stricter inspections and surveillance will continue in the coming weeks. Businesses that break the rules will face license cancellation, fines, and legal action,” the statement said.

Also read: GLP-1 Drugs: Why India Needs Stricter Rules Now

What Are The Side-effects Of GLP-1 Drugs?

GLP-1 drugs work to keep food in the digestive system for longer – making people feel fuller for longer, thus reducing appetite and inducing weight loss. Hence, the drugs are also prescribed to people with obesity.

However, when done without clinical oversight, it can lead to severe health complications.

There are various side effects to taking GLP-1 drugs, including nausea and dizziness, to pancreatitis and medullary thyroid cancer.

Some serious side effects include

• Pancreatis
• Thyroid Cancer
• Acute (Sudden) Kidney Injury
• Worsening Diabetes-Related Retinopathy
• Gallstone & Bile Duct Blockage
• Rapid loss of fat in the face
• Wrinkles
• Sunken eyes

GLP-1 medications may also complicate various health conditions, such as allergic reactions, with shortness of breath and low blood sugar.

Rush For Generic Weight Loss Drugs

The government's advisory comes as patent for semaglutide -- an active ingredient in diabetes and anti-obesity drugs, specifically Wegovy and Ozempic -- expired on March 20.

This has led to a rush among Indian pharma companies to launch cheaper generic versions, significantly increasing affordability and access for millions battling Type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Also read: CDSCO threatens action against pharma companies for promoting GLP-1 weight-loss drugs

Major Indian drugmakers who launched their generic semglutide injection in the country in March include Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Zydus Lifesciences, Alkem Laboratories, and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories.

WHO Guidelines on GLP-1 drugs

Amid the increasing prevalence of GLP-1 drugs, the World Health Organisation (WHO), late last year, acknowledged its role in treating obesity.

However, it warned that medications like GLP-1 alone will not solve the problem affecting more than one billion people worldwide.

The global health body also issued conditional recommendations for using these therapies as part of a comprehensive approach that includes healthy diets, regular physical activity, and support from health professionals.