This document provides an overview of laboratory diagnosis of AIDS, including: 1) The structure of HIV and the humoral and cellular immune response to HIV are described. 2) Diagnosis of AIDS involves antibody detection using screening tests like ELISA and confirmatory tests like Western blot. Antigen detection tests like p24 antigen capture and PCR are also used. 3) Laboratory monitoring of anti-retroviral therapy includes measuring CD4+ T cell counts, HIV RNA levels, and testing for HIV drug resistance.