DISCOVERY OF THE MONTH
Review and report on HAM test

Balasubramanian J, Narayanan N, Azhageshraj K, Pragadeesh K
The Ham’s test is done to diagnose paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). The test checks whether red blood cells become more fragile when they are placed in mild acid. It can also be used to diagnose another rare disorder called congenital dyserythropoietic anaemia. Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), is an rare acquired stem cell disorder associated with periodic hemolytic events. This benign clonal disease is caused by abnormalities of the Xlinked phosphatidylinositol glycan class A (PIGA) gene and is associated with cytopenias and thrombosis.