Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome is a life-threatening illness characterized by “opportunistic” (pneumocystosis, candidiasis, cryptococcosis, mycobacterium, herpes, leukoencephalopathy, and Kaposi’s sarcoma) infections, immunodeficiency, and tumors caused by the human immunodeficiency virus I (HIV-I). Patients are usually members of high-risk groups identified as homosexuals, intravenous drug users, hemophiliacs, bisexuals, and prostitutes. By 2005, the disease claimed more than 25 million deaths worldwide and infected more than 60 million people. TheELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) test is the initial screening serologic tool used to detect the antibody to HIV-I. It has a sensitivity and specificity from 95% to 99%. TheWestern blot (immunoblot) test is then used to verify the ELISA test although it too may produce conflicting results. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, for viral test loading, is used in cases of conflicting information (amplicor HIV-1 monitor test). It can detect 200 copies of HIV RNA per millimeter of plasma (200–1,000 T-cell count range). It is the “gold standard” viral culture diagnostic test for the disease. Another viral load test is the DNA test, to produce a chemical reaction with HIV RNA, producing measurable light (range: 10,000–1,600,000 eq/ml.). The test is not as precise as the PCR but is more precise over time. Another amplification test is known as the LCx-R (ligase chain reaction) test. Indirect but suggestive traditional laboratory values that may indicate HIV infection include: anemia (of any type), leukopenia, increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), decreased cholesterol, and increased serum albumin.