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== Ham Test ==

The '''Ham Test''' (pronounced: /hæm tɛst/) is a medical diagnostic procedure used to identify [[hemophilia]] A and B. The test is named after Dr. John H. Ham, who first described it in 1972.

=== Etymology ===

The term "Ham Test" is derived from the name of Dr. John H. Ham, a hematologist who first described the test. The word "test" comes from the Old French ''test'', meaning "small vessel".

=== Procedure ===

The Ham Test, also known as the [[acidified serum test]], involves the incubation of a patient's red blood cells in acidified serum. If the cells are lysed (broken down), it indicates the presence of [[Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria]] (PNH), a rare and life-threatening disease of the blood.

=== Related Terms ===

* [[Hemophilia]]: A group of hereditary genetic disorders that impair the body's ability to control blood clotting.
* [[Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria]] (PNH): A rare, acquired, life-threatening disease of the blood that leads to the destruction of red blood cells.
* [[Acidified serum test]]: Another name for the Ham Test, referring to the method used in the procedure.

=== See Also ===

* [[Blood test]]
* [[Hematology]]
* [[Diagnostic procedure]]

[[Category:Medical tests]]
[[Category:Hematology]]
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