非糖尿病患者急性心肌梗死早期胰岛素抵抗现象研究

目的:探讨既往无糖尿病病史的急性心肌梗死患者早期胰岛素抵抗情况.方法:2009-02至2009-09,在我院连续入选158例既往无糖尿病病史,且在发病24 h内接受急诊经皮冠状动脉介入治疗的ST段抬高急性心肌梗死患者,出院前均进行口服葡萄糖耐量试验,按照结果分为糖代谢正常组(n=44)、糖调节受损组(n=65)和新诊断糖尿病组(n=49),以稳态模型胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)≥2.5认为存在胰岛素抵抗,评价不同糖代谢组患者急性期(入院时)与稳定期(出院时)的胰岛素抵抗情况.结果:158例患者中,胰岛素抵抗者急性期为50.0%(79/158例),稳定期为31.6%(50/158例),胰岛素抵抗比例在急性期明显多于稳定期(P=0.000),差异有统计学意义.急性期HOMA-IR(0.98±0.81)明显高于稳定期HOMA-IR(0.58±0.67),P<0.05,差异有统计学意义.急性期HOMA-IR,新诊断糖尿病组高于糖调节受损组和糖代谢正常组[(1.30±0.84)vs(0.96±0.78)vs(0.57±0.55),P均<0.05],差异均有统计学意义.稳定期HOMA-IR新诊断糖尿病组和糖调节受损组高于糖代谢正常组[(0.78±0.57)vs(0.57±0.80)vs(0.41±0.51),P均<0.05],差异有统计学意义.多元逐步回归方程显示,第2天空腹血糖[标准化回归系数(β)=0.230,P=0.000]、空腹胰岛素(β=0.758,P=0.000)、体重指数(β=0.087,P=0.005)和糖化血红蛋白(β=0.104,P=0.003)是急性期胰岛素抵抗的影响因素;体重指数(β=0.382,P=0.000)是稳定期胰岛素抵抗的影响因素.结论:无论糖代谢情况如何,胰岛素抵抗在急性心肌梗死早期有加重现象;第2天空腹血糖、糖化血红蛋白和体重指数是急性期胰岛素抵抗的影响因素,体重指数是稳定期胰岛素抵抗的影响因素.     

2型糖尿病和非酒精性脂肪肝病患者的胰岛素抵抗和胰岛β细胞功能

目的 探讨2型糖尿病(T2DM)和非酒精性脂肪肝病(NAFLD)患者胰岛β细胞功能和胰岛素抵抗的特征.方法 206例研究对象根据是否有T2DM和NAFLD分为4组,采用肝脏胰岛素抵抗指数(HIR)、HOMA胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)及Matsuda指数(MSI)评估胰岛素抵抗性,采用HOMA-β、早相及晚相胰岛素分泌指数评估胰岛β细胞功能.结果 NAFLD组和T2DM伴NAFLD组的HIR均显著高于对照组和T2DM组(4.13±0.64,4.03±0.69比3.52±0.78,3.53±0.64,P<0.05),T2DM伴NAFLD组的HOMA-IR显著高于T2DM和NAFLD组(3.35±2.69比2.31±1.39,2.40±1.55,P<0.05);NAFLD组的早相胰岛素分泌指标显著低于对照组(2.13±0.17比2.61±0.13,P<0.05),而T2DM组和T2DM伴NAFLD组的HOMA-β、早相及晚相胰岛素分泌指标均明显低于对照组(P<0.05).结论 NAFLD患者主要表现为肝脏胰岛素抵抗,其胰岛β细胞早相胰岛素分泌受损;T2DM患者存在胰岛素抵抗,其胰岛β细胞早、晚相胰岛素分泌功能均受损.当患者既有T2DM又有NAFLD时,胰岛素抵抗将更严重.     

妊娠糖尿病患者血清脂肪细胞型脂肪酸结合蛋白与胰岛素抵抗的关系探讨

目的 探讨孕期血清脂肪细胞型脂肪酸结合蛋白(A-FABP)水平变化与妊娠期糖尿病胰岛素抵抗的关系.方法 96例孕妇,根据75 g葡萄糖耐量试验(OGTT)结果 分A-FABP为正常葡萄糖耐量妊娠组(NGT组)和妊娠期糖尿病组(GDM组).用ELISA方法 测定患者血清A-FABP浓度,同时测定患者身高、体重,计算体重指数(BMI),化验血糖、血脂、空腹胰岛素,计算稳态模型胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA - IR)和胰岛素敏感性指数( ISI),分析各指标与A-FABP的关系.结果 GDM组血清A-FABP、三酰甘油(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)、空腹血糖(FPG)、餐后2 h血糖(2 hPG)、空腹胰岛素(FINS)、HOMA -IR均高于NGT组,而ISI低于NGT组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).多元线性回归分析表明,A-FABP与 BMI(β=0.186,P=0.027)、TG(β=0.182,P=0.024)、HOMA -IR(β=0.214,P=0.014)呈正相关,与ISI成负相关(β=-0.212,P=0.014).结论 GDM 患者血清A-FABP水平明显升高,并与胰岛素抵抗密切相关.     

不同糖代谢痛风患者β细胞功能及代谢特征分析

目的 探讨痛风患者从正常糖耐量(NGT)到糖尿病不同糖代谢状态时的胰岛素抵抗与胰岛β细胞功能的演变,分析痛风合并糖代谢紊乱患者的代谢特征.方法 96例痛风患者分为糖耐量正常(NGT)组(n=35)、糖调节受损(IGR)组(n=27)及糖尿病组(n=34).测量身高、体重、血压,测定空腹血糖、空腹胰岛素、HbA1C、血清尿酸、总胆固醇、甘油三酯及C反应蛋白(CRP),计算体重指数(BMI)、稳态模型评估的胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)、稳态模型评估的胰岛β细胞功能指数(HOMA-B)和胰岛素敏感指数(ISI).结果 糖尿病组和IGR组的BMI、餐后2h血糖(2hPG)、空腹胰岛素、HbA1C、总胆固醇、甘油三酯、CRP、HOMA-IR均高于NGT组(P<0.05或P<0.01),而糖尿病组及IGR组ISI均低于NGT组(0.023±0.018和0.024±0.017对0.052±0.026,P<0.05).NGT组、IGR组和糖尿病组HOMA-B差异有统计学意义(87.6±25.1、126.46±34.2及173.75±32.1,P<0.05).糖尿病组糖尿病家族史阳性率高于NGT组(41.17%对11.4%,P<0.05).logistic回归分析显示,年龄、BMI、收缩压、甘油三酯、CRP、ISI与糖尿病独立相关,而尿酸与糖尿病无相关性.结论 重度胰岛素抵抗、胰岛β细胞分泌功能障碍、BMI增加、C反应蛋白水平增高、脂代谢异常、遗传易感性是痛风患者合并糖尿病的主要代谢特征.     

肥胖和非肥胖糖耐量受损患者胰岛素敏感性和1相胰岛素分泌研究

目的研究肥胖和非肥胖糖耐量受损(IGT)患者的胰岛素敏感性和β细胞1相胰岛素分泌功能,以探讨在IGT患者中肥胖对胰岛素抵抗和1相胰岛素分泌的影响。方法共有99位受试者(包括正常对照者32名,肥胖IGT44例,非肥胖IGT23例)接受了口服75 g葡萄糖耐量试验(OGTT)和胰岛素改良的减少样本数(采血样12次)的Bergman微小模型技术结合静脉葡萄糖耐量试验(FSIGTT)。胰岛素抵抗由FSIGTT中胰岛素敏感性指数(SI)加以评估,而OGTT中糖负荷后30 min胰岛素增值与血糖增值之比值[ΔI30/ΔG30=(I30 min-I0 min) /(G30 min-G0 min)]和FSIGTT中急性胰岛素分泌反应(AIRg)则用以评价胰岛β细胞分泌功能。处理指数(DI =AIRg×SI)用于评价AIRg是否代偿机体的胰岛素抵抗。结果与正常对照组[(7.52±10.89)×10-4]相比,二组IGT患者之SI明显降低,而肥胖IGT组的SI[(1.72±1.11)×10-4]较非肥胖组[(3.15±1.49)×10-4]更低(均P<0.01); AIRg和ΔI30/ΔG30在正常组(412±191,14.45±8.47)和肥胖IGT组(378±235,17.02±11.30)之间差异无统计学意义,但均大于非肥胖组(196±160,8.93±6.69,均P<0.01);与正常组(2 851±1 180)相比,DI指数在二组IGT显著降低(595±485,584±517),但后二组间此值差异无统计学意义。SI与2 h胰岛素、体重指数、尿酸和胆固醇呈显著的负相关性(校正r2=0.603,P<0.01);而AIRg与ΔI30/ΔG30显著正相关,与空腹血糖负相关(校正r2=0.479,P<0.01)。结论IGT患者存在胰岛素抵抗和β细胞功能异常。与非肥胖IGT患者相比,肥胖IGT患者胰岛素抵抗程度更为严重,但胰岛β细胞胰岛素1相分泌相对充分。     

17-β雌二醇抑制去卵巢大鼠实验性胰岛素抵抗的形成

目的观察17-β雌二醇对果糖诱导的去卵巢大鼠胰岛素抵抗的影响。方法36只雌性大鼠卵巢切除后用高果糖饲料喂养8周,诱导胰岛素抵抗产生,然后随机分为模型组、雌激素替代组和溶媒对照组,另设立正常对照组大鼠12只,用普通饲料喂养8周。检测各组大鼠的体重、动脉收缩压、血脂、血清雌二醇、糖耐量、空腹血糖和空腹血清胰岛素水平,并计算胰岛素敏感指数。结果与正常对照组相比,模型组大鼠体重增加(P<0.05),收缩压升高(P<0.05),血清甘油三酯、总胆固醇、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇和空腹血糖均升高(均P<0.05),空腹血清胰岛素水平升高(P<0.01),高密度脂蛋白胆固醇降低(P<0.05),胰岛素敏感指数降低(P<0.05),产生了胰岛素抵抗,葡萄糖耐量减低(P<0.05),胰岛β细胞受损;17-β雌二醇替代组逆转上述变化,胰岛素敏感指数增加(P<0.05),抑制胰岛素抵抗的产生。结论17-β雌二醇能够抑制高果糖饮食诱导的去卵巢大鼠胰岛素抵抗的产生、胰岛β细胞的损伤和血脂的异常,这说明雌性大鼠体内的雌二醇可能是其在高果糖诱导胰岛素抵抗的过程中受到保护的决定因素。     

肝脏脂肪含量与胰岛素抵抗及胰岛β细胞功能的关系

目的 观察肝脏脂肪含量(LFC)与胰岛素抵抗及胰岛β细胞功能的关系.方法 109例受试者分为糖调节受损组(IGR,31例)、新诊断2型糖尿病组(NT2DM,31例)和正常对照组(NC,47例),采用质子磁共振波谱分析(1H MRS)定量测定LFC;口服75 g葡萄糖耐量和胰岛素、C肽释放试验评估胰岛素抵抗及B细胞功能,分析LFC与胰岛素抵抗及B细胞功能的关系.结果 (1)LFC在NC、IGR、NT2DM组中分别为3.83%(2.35%～7.59%)、12.82%(8.10%～21.37%)、21.99%(11.89%～34.43%),随着糖代谢异常程度增加依次增高(P<0.01);(2)根据LFC四分位数分组,由低至高分为Quartile 1(LFC<4.04%)、Quartile 2(4.04%≤LFC<9.77%)、Quartile 3(9.77%≤LFC<20.78%)、Quartile 4(LFC≥20.78%)组,稳态模型评估的胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)随着LFC增加从Quartile 2开始依次升高(P<0.01);(3)胰岛素30 min增量(△I30)、△I30/血糖30 win增量(△G30)与C肽30 min增量(△CP30)在Quartile 2时均呈现增高趋势,从Quartile 3开始呈逐步下降趋势;△CP30和△I30/△G30在Quartile 4明显降低(P<0.05或P<0.01).△CP30/△G30从Quartile 3开始降低(P<0.05).C肽曲线下面积与血糖曲线下面积的比值(CPAUC/GAUC)从Quartile 3开始降低(P<0.05).与之相应血糖增高,在Quartile 3达到空腹血糖受损和糖耐量受损水平(P<0.01);(4)LFC与HOMA-IR(rs=0.618,P<0.01)呈正相关;与△CP30(rs=-0.282)、△CP30/△G30(rs:-0.404)、CPAUC/GAUC(rs=-0.308)呈负相关(均P<0.01);(5)多元回归分析显示LFC是HOMA-IR独立影响因子(P<0.01).结论 本研究发现LFC增加至4%时.开始出现胰岛素抵抗,β细胞早相分泌代偿增高;当增加至10%时,早相和整体β细胞分泌功能恶化伴血糖升高.     

孕妇在不同糖耐量状态下胰岛素抵抗和胰岛β细胞功能的改变

目的 研究孕妇在不同糖耐量状态下胰岛素抵抗(IR)和胰岛β细胞功能的改变.方法 分析51例妊娠糖尿病(GDM)孕妇、45例糖耐量低减(GIGT)孕妇和119例糖耐量正常(NGT)孕妇的IR和胰岛β细胞分泌功能,采用稳态模式胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)评价胰岛素抵抗,稳态模式胰岛B细胞功能指数(HBCI)和30分钟净增胰岛素/30分钟净增血糖(△130/△G30)评价胰岛β细胞分泌功能.结果 从NGT、GIGT到GDM,HOMA-IR呈递增,而HBCI和△DO/△G30呈递减倾向,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05～0.01);HBCI、△130/△G30与2hPG呈明显负相关(r分别=0.144,0.258,P均＜0.01);HBCI与△130/△G30呈明显正相关(r=0.144,P＜0.05).结论 妊娠期胰岛素抵抗增加和胰岛β细胞分泌功能下降是GDM的发病原因,且在GIGT阶段胰岛素早期分泌功能已受损.     

年龄依赖性胰岛素抵抗与睾酮水平的相关性

目的探讨健康男性年龄对胰岛素抵抗的影响和胰岛素抵抗与睾酮的关系。方法在北京、上海、西安和重庆四城市调查20～78岁健康男性1080例,同时测定空腹血糖、胰岛素、总睾酮、雌二醇、黄体生成激素(LH)、卵泡刺激激素(FSH)和性激素结合球蛋白(SHBG),计算稳态模型胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)、游离睾酮(cFT)、睾酮分泌指数(TSI)和游离睾酮指数(FTI),将空腹血糖、胰岛素和HOMA-IR与其他检验结果进行相关分析。结果空腹血糖、胰岛素和HOMA-IR与年龄(r=0.1644、0.1536和0.1587;均为P<0.01)、LH(r=0.1909、0.1310和0.1920;均为P<0.01)和FSH(r=0.1 704、0.1543和0.1907;均为P<0.01)呈显著正相关,与总睾酮(r=-0.0825、-0.2187和-0.1619;P>0.05、P<0.01和P<0.01)、cFT(r=0.1238、-0.1 567和-0.1346;P<0.01、P<0.01和P<0.05)和TSI(r=-0.2143、-0.2098和-0.2488;均为P<0.01)呈显著负相关。结论健康男性随年龄增长伴有空腹血糖、胰岛素和HOMA-IR的逐渐升高,年龄依赖性雄激素水平降低对这种胰岛素抵抗的变化可能起着重要作用。     

多囊卵巢综合征患者性激素结合球蛋白和总睾酮与胰岛素抵抗的相关性

目的 了解性激素结合球蛋白(SHBG)和总睾酮在预测多囊卵巢综合征(PCOS)患者胰岛素抵抗和生殖内分泌以及糖脂代谢紊乱中的作用.方法 选择2004年6月至2006年5月在复旦大学附属妇产科医院就诊的344例PCOS患者为病例组,年龄12～35岁,平均年龄(23±5)岁.选择同期月经规律、基础体温双相的100名妇女作为对照组,比较PCOS患者SHBG和总睾酮与对照组的差异,并用Spearman相关分析法分别分析SHBG和总睾酮与其他指标的相关性,Logistic回归分析胰岛素抵抗的风险因子并做SHBG对胰岛素抵抗的受试者操作特征(ROC)曲线,获得预测胰岛素抵抗的风险值,比较不同水平SHBG患者的糖脂代谢紊乱的程度.结果 PCOS患者SHBG为(114±88)mmol/L,与对照组[(201±106)mmol/L]比较差异有统计学意义(t=-5.60,P<0.01),总睾酮为(2.8±1.0)nmol/L,与对照组[(1.7±0.6)nmol/L]比较差异有统计学意义(t=7.73,P<0.01);SHBG与空腹胰岛素、胰岛素释放试验曲线下面积、口服葡萄糖耐量试验(OGTT)的葡萄糖曲线下面积、胰岛素抵抗指数、甘油三酯和腰围/臀围比呈负相关(r值分别为:-0.30、-0.26、-0.29、-0.19、-0.20、-0.29、-0.22,均P<0.01);总睾酮与空腹胰岛素(r=0.14,P<0.01)、胰岛素释放试验(1、2、3 h的r值分别为0.15、0.12、0.11,均P<0.05)以及相应的曲线下面积(r=0.15,P<0.05)、胰岛素抵抗指数(r=0.11,P<0.05)呈正相关.Logistic回归分析发现SHBG是PCOS患者胰岛素抵抗的独立危险因素(OR=3.741).由ROC曲线得到SHBG预测胰岛素抵抗的大致风险值为88 mmol/L(95%CI为0.668～0.774).在低SHBG(<88 mmol/L)患者中,空腹胰岛素、胰岛素释放试验相应的曲线下面积、胰岛素抵抗指数、空腹血糖、OGTT的葡萄糖曲线下面积与高SHBG(≥88 mmoL/L)患者比较差异有统计学意义(t值分别为-6.45、-5.08、-6.19、-3.16、-3.66,均P<0.01),甘油三酯也高于高SHBG患者(t=-2.06,P<0.05).结论 PCOS患者总睾酮水平高于对照组,SHBG低?     

The immunoneuroendocrine role of melatonin

Abstract: A tight, physiological link between the pineal gland and the immune system is emerging from a series of experimental studies. This link might reflect the evolutionary connection between self-recognition and reproduction. Pinealectomy or other experimental methods which inhibit melatonin synthesis and secretion induce a state of immunodepression which is counteracted by melatonin. In general, melatonin seems to have an immunoenhancing effect that is particularly apparent in immunodepressive states. The negative effect of acute stress or immunosuppressive pharmacological treatments on various immune parameters are counteracted by melatonin. It seems important to note that one of the main targets of melatonin is the thymus, i.e., the central organ of the immune system. The clinical use of melatonin as an immunotherapeutic agent seems promising in primary and secondary immunodeficiencies as well as in cancer immunotherapy. The immunoenhancing action of melatonin seems to be mediated by T-helper cell-derived opioid peptides as well as by lymphokines and, perhaps, by pituitary hormones. Melatonin-induced-immuno-opioids (MHO) and lymphokines imply the presence of specific binding sites or melatonin receptors on cells of the immune system. On the other hand, lymphokines such as -γ-interferon and interleukin-2 as well as thymic hormones can modulate the synthesis of melatonin in the pineal gland. The pineal gland might thus be viewed as the crux of a sophisticated immunoneuroendocrine network which functions as an unconscious, diffuse sensory organ.     

Response of rat pineal melatonin to calcium, magnesium, and lithium is circadian stage dependent

Abstract: Herein we documented the response of pineal melatonin production to electrolytes known to be effective on pineal function in view of a possible circadian stage dependence. We studied the release of melatonin by perifused rat pineal glands at 2 different circadian stages corresponding to the middle of the light and dark periods, i.e., respectively, 7 and 19 HALO (Hours After Light Onset, L:D = 12:12). The initial efflux rates were, as expected, much higher in the perifusates of glands removed from rats sacrificed during the dark phase than of those removed during the light phase. After 3 hr of perifusion, melatonin release reached similar levels which were found constant up to the 8th hr of perifusion, whatever the circadian stage. Perifusion of the glands with physiological concentrations for the rat of calcium (5.2 mmol/1) and magnesium (1.34 mmol/1) resulted in a stimulatory effect on the pineal glands removed from rats sacrificed in the middle of the dark period (19 HALO), whereas no effects were observed on the pineal glands removed from rats sacrificed during the light (7 HALO). Lithium (0.28 and 0.55 mmol/1) was ineffective on melatonin release in pineal glands removed 7 and 19 HALO. Our results show differences in the initial efflux rates of melatonin and in the response of perifused pineal glands to calcium and magnesium according to the circadian stage.     

Changes in connexin43, the gap junction protein of astrocytes, during development of the rat pineal gland

Abstract: The abundance of gap junctions between rat pineal astrocytes formed by connexin43 (Cx43) was studied during development. Levels and distribution of Cx43 were measured by immunoblotting and indirect immunofluorescence, respectively. The amount of Cx43 in cells located within the gland was low until about the 7th postnatal day and increased to adult values between the 14th and 21st days postpartum. Although astrocytes, recognized by their vimentin immunoreactivity, were scarce before birth, they were abundant by the 7th postnatal day suggesting that the low levels of Cx43 found at this age corresponded to a low expression of this protein. Localization of the immunoreactivity to Cx43 and vimentin showed a close correlation, indicating that mature or immature pineal astrocytes form gap junctions made of Cx43. Since Cx43 levels attained their adult values at about the time the innervation and the functional state of the gland reached maturity (2–3 weeks after birth), it is proposed that astrocyte gap junctions are involved in the function of the adult rat pineal gland.     

Conservative management of perforated duodenal diverticulum： A case report and review of the literature

Duodenal diverticula are a relatively common condition. They are asymptomatic, unless they become complicated, with perforation being the rarest but most severe complication. Surgical treatment is the most frequently performed approach. We report the case of a patient with a perforated duodenal diverticulum, which was diagnosed early and treated conservatively with antibiotics and percutaneous drainage of secondary retroperitoneal abscesses. We suggest this method could be an acceptable option for the management of similar cases, provided that the patient is in good general condition and without septic signs.     

Presence of immunoreactive growth hormone and prolactin in the ovine pineal gland

Abstract: The use of antisera raised against bovine growth hormone (GH) and ovine prolactin (PRL) enabled the detection of related immunoreactive (ir) sequences of proteins in ovine pineal tissue. The isolation of PRL-like ir-material was accomplished using a 0.25 M ammonium sulphate (pH 5.5) extraction followed by ethanol precipitation, whereas the resulting 2.0 M ammonium sulphate (pH 7.0) precipitate contained a GH-like immunoreactivity. Gel chromatography of the GH-like immunoreactivity (Sephadex G-100) indicated the presence of several GH-like fragments ranging in the M_r range of 7,000 to 55,000. Analyses of the PRL-like ir-material found in pineal tissue on HPLC using a TSK 545-DEAE column led to the resolution into a single peak of immunoreactivity. A single peak of activity was also observed following chromatofocusing and hydrophobic interaction chromatography of the ir-peak from the TSK 545-DEAE column. The PRL-like ir-material inhibited the binding of [¹²⁵I]ovine PRL-S14 to anti-ovine PRL antibodies without showing an affinity for binding to anti-rat PRL or anti-bovine GH antibodies. Scatchard analysis of the binding of pineal PRL-like ir-material and pituitary ovine PRL-S14 to liver membranes from day-20 pregnant rats revealed similar affinity constants (K_a of 4.7 ± 0.2 × 10⁹ M^-1). In addition, the replication of Nb 2 Node rat lymphoma cells was stimulated by pineal PRL-like ir-material, an effect known to be specific for lactogenic hormones. The pineal PRL-like immunoreactivity appeared on sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels as a single major band of M_r 24,000. The functional status of PRL-and GH-like ir-material in the ovine pineal remains to be determined, but evidence is presented that the overall protein synthesis rate of the rat pineal responded to circulating concentrations of PRL.     

Microbiology of human immunodeficiency virus anorectal disease

PURPOSE: Individuals who are seropositive for the human immunodeficiency virus are at high risk for opportunistic infection and anorectal disorders. Little prospective information is available regarding anorectal pathogens in these patients. METHODS: One hundred sixty-three HIV-seropositive patients presented to the colorectal clinic between 1989 and 1992. Forty-seven (29 percent) patients were thought to have an infectious process and were prospectively studied using a standardized multiculture protocol. RESULTS: Mean age was 33 (range, 19–59) years. All were male; high-risk behavior accounted for 87 percent of HIV transmissions. Presenting complaints included anorectal pain (79 percent), pus per anum (28 percent), and blood per anum (26 percent). Examination revealed perianal tenderness (60 percent), condyloma (38 percent), perianal ulcers (38 percent), and anal fissures (34 percent). Sixty-six sets of cultures were performed; 28 patients had one set, 15 had two sets, and 4 had three sets. Thirty-two of these 47 patients (68 percent) had positive cultures including herpes (50 percent), cytomegalovirus (25 percent),Neisseria gonorrhoeae (16 percent), chlamydia (16 percent), acidfast bacilli (2 percent), and others (9 percent). Six of 32 patients with positive cultures had more than one organism cultured. Sixteen (50 percent) patients with positive cultures were treated medically, 8 (25 percent) were treated surgically and 8 (25 percent) were treated with both modalities. Sixty-one procedures were performed on 17 patients for condylomata. Eighteen patients had 20 procedures for abscesses, 50 percent of whom had positive cultures for other than common bowel flora; all improved. Fourteen patients underwent 33 procedures for perianal fistulas.Mycobacterium fortuitum was cultured from one patient who required 13 procedures for abscesses and fistulas. Forty-five (96 percent) patients were followed for an average of 12.5 months ±2.9 SEM (range, 1–94 months). Symptoms were improved or resolved in 22 of 32 (69 percent) patients with positive cultures and in 11 of 13 (84 percent) with negative cultures. CONCLUSIONS: Specific pathogens may often be identified in human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive patients with anorectal disorders if aggressively sought. Although patients without specific pathogens identified may be expected to improve with planned empiric treatment, positive identification allows more directed therapy.