大脑中动脉狭窄的急性缺血性脑卒中患者静脉溶栓后侧支循环代偿的多因素分析

目的探讨大脑中动脉狭窄的急性缺血性脑卒中患者静脉溶栓后软脑膜侧支循环代偿的相关因素。方法收集大脑中动脉狭窄的急性缺血性脑卒中患者178例,给予重组组织型纤溶酶原激活剂(rt-PA)静脉溶栓。根据溶栓后区域软脑膜评分(rLMC)分为代偿较差组65例(rLMC 0~10分),代偿较好组113例(rLMC 11~20分)。采集患者临床基线数据,头颈CT血管造影评估软脑膜侧支循环。采用美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评分和改良的Rankin量表(mRS)评分。结果代偿较好组高血压、溶栓后24hNIHSS及10dNIHSS评分、90d mRS评分、颅内出血及死亡比例明显低于代偿较差组,TG、预后良好比例明显高于代偿较差组(P0.05,P0.01)。多因素logistic回归分析显示,高血压(OR=2.831,95%CI:1.100~7.287,P=0.031)、TG(OR=2.136,95%CI:1.026~4.448,P=0.034)及陈旧性脑梗死(OR=2.922,95%CI:1.096~7.789,P=0.032)与静脉溶栓治疗急性脑卒中后侧支循环代偿相关。结论高血压不利于大脑中动脉狭窄的急性缺血性脑卒中患者溶栓后侧支循环的建立,而TG有助于软脑膜侧支的增长。陈旧性脑梗死是软脑膜侧支循环代偿不良的独立预测因子。     

大脑中动脉狭窄患者软脑膜动脉侧支循环与脑梗死的相关性研究

目的观察软脑膜吻合(leptomeningeal anastomoses,LMA)侧支循环在单侧大脑中动脉(middle cerebral artery,MCA)M1段狭窄患者中的代偿特点,探讨侧支循环代偿程度与是否出现新发脑梗死之间的相关性。方法采用磁共振血管成像(magnetic resonance angiography,MRA)回顾性分析单侧MCA M1段狭窄的患者114例,根据是否有新发脑梗死灶分为脑梗死组68例和非脑梗死组46例。通过MRA评价狭窄同侧大脑前动脉(anterior cerebral artery,ACA)和大脑后动脉(posterior cerebral artery,PCA)偏利现象,即LMA代偿程度,研究其对脑梗死发病的影响。结果脑梗死组与非脑梗死组患者年龄[(63.00±11.53)岁vs(68.98±10.28)岁]、ACA评分、MCA狭窄程度分级比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。多因素回归分析显示,ACA评分低(OR=0.390,95%CI:0.154~0.987,P=0.047)、MCA M1狭窄程度重(OR=2.421,95%CI:1.324~4.428,P=0.004)和年龄(OR=0.933,95%CI:0.892~0.976,P=0.003)是脑梗死的独立危险因素。结论 MCA狭窄后,ACA-MCA侧支循环建立良好的患者,MCA分布区发生脑梗死的概率低。     

单侧颈内动脉与大脑中动脉病变所致短暂性脑缺血发作或急性脑梗死患者侧支循环的差异性及急性脑梗死患者预后的影响因素研究

背景侧支循环代偿对大血管严重狭窄或闭塞所致短暂性脑缺血发作(TIA)或急性脑梗死(ACI)具有重要意义,但目前单侧颈内动脉(UICA)与大脑中动脉(MCA)病变所致TIA或ACI患者侧支循环的差异性尚不清楚。目的探讨UICA与MCA病变所致TIA或ACI患者侧支循环的差异性及ACI患者预后的影响因素。方法选取2018年1月—2019年1月西南医科大学附属医院神经内科收治的TIA患者11例和ACI患者79例,根据数字减影血管造影(DSA)检查结果分为UICA组(n=43)和MCA组(n=47);根据ACI患者30 d改良Rankin量表(m RS)评分分为预后良好组(n=48)和预后不良组(n=31)。比较UICA组与MCA组患者、预后良好组与预后不良组患者临床特征,ACI患者预后的影响因素分析采用多因素Logistic回归分析。结果 (1)UICA组患者TIA发生率高于MCA组,美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评分、30 d mRS评分低于MCA组,侧支循环代偿程度优于MCA组(P0.05);UICA组与MCA组患者男性比例,年龄,有高血压、糖尿病、冠心病病史及吸烟史、饮酒史者所占比例,收缩压,舒张压,空腹血糖,总胆固醇(TC),三酰甘油(TG),高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C),低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C),预后良好率,血管病变程度,行静脉溶栓治疗、支架植入/球囊扩张术者所占比例比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。(2)预后良好组患者年龄、NIHSS评分低于预后不良组,侧支循环代偿程度优于预后不良组(P0.05);预后良好组与预后不良组患者男性比例,有高血压、糖尿病、冠心病病史及吸烟史、饮酒史者所占比例,收缩压,舒张压,空腹血糖,TC,TG,HDL-C,LDL-C,血管病变程度,病变血管,行静脉溶栓治疗、支架植入/球囊扩张术者所占比例比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。(3)多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,NIHSS评分〔OR=1.166,95%CI(1.029,1.322)〕、侧支循环代偿程度〔OR=0.461,95%CI(0.233,0.912)〕是ACI患者预后的独立影响因素(P0.05)。结论 UICA病变所致TIA或ACI患者侧支循环代偿程度优于MCA病变所致者,而NIHSS评分、侧支循环代偿程度是ACI患者预后的独立影响因素。     

后循环重度狭窄或闭塞患者侧支循环与神经功能缺损程度和预后的关系:回顾性病例系列研究

目的 探讨后循环重度狭窄或闭塞患者侧支循环代偿情况与神经功能缺损程度以及预后的关系.方法 回顾性纳入后循环重度狭窄或闭塞导致的缺血性卒中患者,利用颅脑多普勒和脑血管成像技术评估颅内动脉的侧支循环代偿情况,分为侧支循环代偿充分组与代偿不充分组,对两组性别、年龄、既往病史、血液生化指标、基线美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale,NIHSS)评分以及发病3个月时改良Rankin量表(modified Rankin Scale,mRS)评分进行比较和分析.结果 共纳入76例后循环重度狭窄或闭塞导致的缺血性卒中患者,其中侧支循环代偿充分组35例,代偿不充分组41例.侧支循环代偿不充分组超敏C-反应蛋白(high-sensitive C-reactive protein,hs-CRP)[(20.392±31.897) mg/L对(4.172 ±4.268) mg/L;t =2.983,P=0.004]和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇[(1.272±0.835) mmol/L对(1.096±0.301) mmol/L;t =2.520,P =0.014]水平显著性高于代偿充分组.多变量logistic回归分析显示,只有hs-CRP水平增高是后循环重度狭窄或闭塞患者侧支循环建立不充分的独立危险因素(优势比1.513,95％可信区间1.218～1.880;P ＜0.001).侧支循环代偿充分组基线NIHSS评分(Z=3.161,P ＜0.001)以及3个月时mRS评分(Z=3.143,P＜0.001)均显著性低于代偿不充分组.结论 hs-CRP水平增高是后循环重度狭窄或闭塞时侧支循环代偿不充分的独立危险因素.侧支循环建立充分的后循环重度狭窄或闭塞患者神经功能缺损程度较轻,且预后更好.     

急性缺血性卒中静脉溶栓患者侧支循环状态对神经功能及临床转归的影响

目的研究急性缺血性卒中静脉溶栓患者不同侧支循环与对早期神经功能及临床转归的影响,同时探讨美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)子项目评分与侧支循环状态的关系。方法回顾性连续纳入2016年12月至2019年4月入诊于新乡医学院第一附属医院神经内科静脉溶栓的大脑中动脉M1段重度狭窄及闭塞的73例患者,根据头部CT血管成像(CTA)-CT灌注(CTP)成像检查选择目标患者,并评估静脉溶栓前的侧支循环状态,据此分为侧支循环良好组与侧支循环不良组。收集患者的临床资料,采用NIHSS评分进行神经功能缺损评分,发病后90 d采用改良Rankin量表(m RS)评估预后。比较两组患者的临床资料,采用单因素Logistic回归分析研究侧支循环状态与入院时NIHSS评分子项目的关系,同时探讨静脉溶栓前的侧支循环状态与溶栓后患者临床转归[主要结局:发病90 d时m RS评分0～1分;次要结局:早期神经功能显著改善(治疗后72 h NIHSS评分为0～1分,或较基线NIHSS评分降低8分)及发病后90 d时m RS评分为0～2分;安全性结局:脑出血转化及发病后90d死亡]的关系。结果 73例患者中,侧支循环良好组43例,侧支循环不良组30例。侧支循环良好组患者入院时NIHSS评分及治疗后72 h NIHSS评分均明显低于侧支循环不良组[分别为2. 00(1. 00,5. 00)分比7. 00 (3. 75,10. 00)分,1. 00 (0. 00,3. 00)分比5. 00 (1. 75,6. 25)分; Z值分别为-3. 793、3. 447,均P 0. 01]。单因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,侧支循环不良组面瘫、上肢运动、下肢运动、构音障碍评分均明显高于侧支循环良好组[OR值及95%CI分别为5. 058 (2. 249～11. 372)、1. 465 (1. 024～2. 094)、1. 633 (1. 069～2. 495)、2. 669(1. 072～6. 647),均P 0. 05]。在主要结局中,侧支循环良好组67. 4%(29/43)患者和侧支循环不良组40. 0%(12/30)患者m RS评分为0～1分(OR=1. 686,95%CI:1. 068～3. 105,P=0. 020)。对于次要结局,侧支循环良好组53. 5%(23/43)患者和侧支循环不良组20. 0%(6/30)患者获得早期神经功能改善(OR=2. 672,95%CI:1. 241～5. 765,P=0. 004);侧支循环良好组86. 0%(37/43)患者和侧支循环不良组63. 3%(19/30)患者m RS评分为0～2分(OR=1. 359,95%CI:1. 009～1. 830,P=0. 024)。在安全结局中,侧支循环良好组及侧支循环不良组的患者中分别有2例和7例出现了出血转化(OR=0. 199,95%CI:0. 044～0. 894,P=0. 043);死亡风险组间差异无统计学意义(OR=0. 698,95%CI:0. 104～4. 682,P=1. 000)。结论对于急性缺血性卒中大脑中动脉重度狭窄及闭塞患者,良好的侧支循环与较轻的临床症状有关,NIHSS评分子项目中的面瘫、上肢运动、下肢运动及构音障碍评分增加可反映侧支循环不良;良好的侧支循环有利于静脉溶栓患者获得早期神经功能改善及良好的预后,可能降低出血转化风险,但不降低患者死亡风险。     

单侧颈内动脉重度狭窄或闭塞患者侧支循环与临床预后的关系

目的探讨单侧颈内动脉重度狭窄或闭塞的缺血性脑卒中患者侧支循环与临床预后的关系。方法选择经CT血管成像(CTA)检查证实有单侧颈内动脉重度狭窄或闭塞的急性缺血性脑卒中患者40例,分为重度狭窄组21例和闭塞组19例。并分为有侧支循环29例和无侧支循环11例,记录入院时、入院后2周、随访时美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评分,分析侧支循环与临床预后的关系。结果重度狭窄组有侧支循环开放12例(57.14%),闭塞组有侧支循环开放17例(89.47%),闭塞组侧支循开放率明显高于重度狭窄组(P=0.02)。29例有侧支循环建立的患者中初级代偿19例(65.52%),次级代偿10例(34.48%,P<0.05)。重度狭窄组初级代偿比例明显高于次级代偿比例(76.92%vs 23.08%,P<0.01)。有侧支循环2周NIHSS评分[(4.1±1.7)分vs(12.0±2.6)分,P=0.037]和随访时NIHSS评分[(1.9±1.2)分vs(10.4±2.4)分,P=0.000]较无侧支循环明显降低。结论侧支循环建立与动脉血管狭窄程度有一定相关性,初级侧支代偿是其主要代偿方式。     

Neuroform支架在治疗症状性颅内动脉狭窄中的应用

目的评价使用Neuroform支架在治疗症状性颅内动脉狭窄的安全性、可行性。方法症状性颅内动脉狭窄患者11例,其中前循环狭窄2例(1例狭窄位于颈内动脉眼段交通段,1例狭窄位于大脑中动脉M1段),后循环狭窄9例(3例狭窄位于基底动脉,6例狭窄位于基底动脉交界处);均进行支架成形术治疗,术后全脑血管造影复查及使用美国国立卫生研究院脑卒中量表(NIHSS)进行评定。结果11例患者支架全部置放成功,造影复查显示动脉直径狭窄率从术前(85.6±7.4)%降至术后(35.7±12.1)%。按NIHSS评分评估,11例患者术后症状明显改善,其中1例患者术后15天出现Wallenberg综合征,随访1~12个月,其他患者未出现脑缺血再发作及支架内再狭窄。结论应用Neuroform支架治疗症状性颅内动脉狭窄合并路径血管纡曲不光滑的患者,可以提高手术成功率,减轻临床缺血症状和改善预后。     

CTA评估大脑中动脉M1段闭塞急性脑梗死病人的侧支循环及其与静脉溶栓预后的关系

目的探讨CT血管造影(CTA)评估大脑中动脉M1段闭塞性急性脑梗死病人侧支循环,并分析侧支血流与静脉溶栓治疗预后的关系。方法分析61例大脑中动脉M1段闭塞的急性脑梗死病人行静脉溶栓治疗的病人,行CTA检查后依据入院美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)及区域软脑膜评分(r LMC)分为侧支循环代偿较差组和侧支循环代偿较好组,分析两组侧支血流范围与临床预后的关系。结果与侧支循环代偿较差组病人比较,侧支循环代偿较好组病人NIHSS评分更低,高血压病史、3个月改良Ranking量表(mRS)与侧支循环血流状况呈显著正相关。结论侧支循环好的急性脑梗死病人经静脉溶栓治疗后临床预后好,应用CTA可为评估侧支循环临床预后提供参考。     

急性前循环大血管闭塞Solitaire支架取栓患者预后的影响因素分析

目的探讨急性前循环大血管闭塞性卒中Solitaire支架取栓患者预后的影响因素。方法回顾性连续纳入2015年3月至2017年3月解放军第一○一医院及南京金陵医院收治的前循环大血管急性闭塞患者222例,均经DSA证实,并行Solitaire AB支架取栓术。根据患者治疗后90 d改良Rankin量表(mRS)评分,分为预后良好组(0~2分,120例)和预后不良组(3~6分,102例)。分析两组患者的基线资料及临床资料,包括心脑血管病危险因素、基线美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评分、闭塞部位(颈内动脉或大脑中动脉闭塞)、侧支代偿、发病至穿刺时间、手术时间、发病至再通时间、再通状态、术前Alberta卒中项目早期CT评分(ASPECTS)、症状性脑出血等,并进一步对患者预后的影响因素进行多因素Logistic回归分析。结果 (1)预后良好率为54.1%(120/222)。两组患者年龄、入院NIHSS评分、入院ASPECTS以及性别、高血压病、闭塞部位、侧支良好比例的差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05),其余基线资料的组间差异均无统计学意义(均P0.05)。(2)预后良好组患者发病至穿刺(中位数)时间、发病至成功再通(中位数)时间低于预后不良组[182(138,230)min比236(170,305)min,237(175,269)min比288(223,367)min],成功再通比例高于预后不良组[98.3%(118/120)比78.4%(80/102)],术后症状性脑出血比例低于预后不良组[2.5%(3/120)比21.6%(22/102)],组间差异均有统计学意义(均P0.01);两组手术时间的差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。(3)以单因素分析中P0.05的参数为自变量,以预后情况为因变量进一步行多因素Logistic回归分析,结果显示,年龄增高(OR=1.096,95%CI:1.050~1.144)、伴高血压病史(OR=8.401,95%CI:2.960~23.845)、基线NIHSS评分增高(OR=1.071,95%CI:1.007~1.138)、发病至成功再通时间延长(OR=1.019,95%CI:1.003~1.035)、术后发生症状性脑出血(OR=18.110,95%CI:4.656~70.434)均为预后不良的危险因素(均P0.05);入院ASPECTS分值较高(OR=0.641,95%CI:0.451~0.911)及成功再通(OR=0.127,95%CI:0.024~0.664)均为预后良好的保护因素(均P0.05)。结论入院ASPECTS较高、成功再通是急性前循环大血管闭塞Solitaire支架取栓患者预后良好的保护因素,年龄增高、伴高血压病史、基线NIHSS评分增高、发病至成功再通时间延长、术后发生症状性脑出血均为急性前循环大血管闭塞Solitaire支架取栓患者预后不良的危险因素。     

经颅多普勒超声评价大面积脑梗死患者侧支循环预测神经功能转归研究

目的探讨经颅多普勒超声(TCD)评价大面积脑梗死患者侧支循环预测神经功能转归的价值。方法连续纳入的急性颈内动脉闭塞导致大面积脑梗死患者57例,根据TCD检测到的前交通动脉(ACoA)、后交通动脉(PCoA)、眼动脉的代偿情况分为ACoA合并PCoA代偿组19例、单纯ACoA代偿组13例、单纯PCoA代偿组10例、单纯眼动脉代偿组5例及无侧支代偿组10例,比较各组2周时美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评分和6个月时Barthel指数及其改善程度。结果 5组发病2周时NIHSS评分及改善程度比较,ACoA合并PCoA代偿组、单纯ACoA代偿组和单纯PCoA代偿组明显好于单纯眼动脉代偿组及无侧支代偿组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);5组随访6个月时Barthel指数及改善程度比较,ACoA合并PCoA代偿组、单纯ACoA代偿组和单纯PCoA代偿组明显好于单纯眼动脉代偿组及无侧支代偿组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论对于颈内动脉闭塞导致大面积脑梗死患者急性期ACoA、PCoA侧支代偿较眼动脉侧支代偿可预测更好的近、远期神经功能转归,且ACoA合并PCoA侧支代偿可进一步促进远期的神经功能恢复。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.