Diphtheria is an ancient disease.Since the implementation of enhanced program of immunization by WHO in 1978,the global incidence of diphtheria decreased sharply.There were no diphtheria cases reported in recent years in China,but there were still diphtheria cases and outbreak reported in surrounding countries.It is necessary to strengthen the laboratory diagnosis of diphtheria in China to prevent the recurrence and for early detection of emergent and imported diphtheria cases.Here in this review,the laboratory diagnosis of diphtheria and its progress were summarized.