血清镁对老年男性急性肾损伤患者短期预后的影响

目的对老年急性肾损伤(AKI)患者进行随访观察,探讨AKI患者血清镁紊乱发生情况及血清镁水平对老年AKI患者短期生存的影响。方法选择2007年1月至2015年12月就诊于解放军总医院老年病房≥75岁的住院男性AKI患者为研究对象。根据AKI后28 d时和60 d时患者的生存情况,将患者病历资料分为死亡组和存活组进行分析。以血清镁0.7 mmol/L为低镁血症,1.1 mmol/L为高镁血症。采用SPSS 17.0软件进行统计分析。Kaplan-Meier乘积法估计生存曲线,并通过对数秩检验进行比较,多因素Cox回归模型分析血清镁对老年患者短期生存的影响。结果 623例老年男性AKI患者,中位年龄87(84,91)岁。正常血镁者473例(75.9%),低镁血症患者72例(11.6%),高镁血症患者78例(12.5%)。发生AKI后28 d内死亡160例,60 d内共死亡194例。采用Kaplan-Meier生存曲线比较显示高镁血症患者28 d生存状况明显较差(log-rank检验:P=0.001)。多因素Cox回归分析显示AKI诊断时间(HR=0.865,95%CI 0.799~0.937;P0.001)、平均动脉压(HR=0.970,95%CI 0.958~0.981;P0.001)、血清前白蛋白(HR=0.924,95%CI 0.894~0.955;P0.001)、少尿(HR=2.261,95%CI 1.424~3.590;P=0.001)、机械通气(HR=1.492,95%CI 1.047~2.124;P=0.027)、血尿素氮(HR=1.037,95%CI 1.025~1.049;P0.001)、血镁水平(HR=2.512,95%CI 1.243~5.076;P=0.010)、AKI分期(2期:HR=3.709,95%CI 1.926~7.141,P0.001;3期:HR=5.660,95%CI 2.990~10.717,P0.001)是老年AKI患者28 d生存的影响因素。血清镁对患者29~60 d的生存影响无统计学意义。结论老年AKI患者镁离子紊乱发生率高达24.1%(150/623),高血镁与老年男性AKI患者28 d病死率密切相关,监测及适当纠正血镁紊乱可能会延长其生存时间。     

心脏手术相关急性肾损伤患者的远期预后

目的:观察心脏手术相关急性肾损伤(CSA-AKI)患者的远期存活情况及肾脏转归。方法:本研究纳入2012年1月至2013年12月在南京医科大学第一附属医院住院行心脏手术治疗的患者,按是否发生CSA-AKI分为AKI组与非AKI组,平均随访3年,记录远期生存率及慢性肾脏病(CKD)3期及以上的发病率,并分析其相关影响因素。结果:共纳入1 363例心脏手术患者,CSA-AKI发病率为33.5%。AKI组3年累计生存率低于非AKI组(88.8%vs 97.2%,P0.001);与非AKI组比,AKI显著增加患者的死亡风险(HR 2.62,95%CI 1.53~4.50);多因素COX回归分析显示,AKI是增加死亡风险的独立危险因素;90d存活的AKI组术后3年CKD 3~5期的发病率高于非AKI组(9.9%vs 2.3%,P0.001);与非AKI组比,AKI组发生CKD 3~5期的风险增加(HR 3.10,95%CI1.75~5.48);多因素COX回归分析显示,AKI是增加远期CKD 3~5期风险的独立危险因素,高龄、术前估算的肾小球滤过率(e GFR)低也会增加远期CKD 3~5期风险。结论:CSA-AKI显著增加患者术后3年的死亡风险和CKD 3~5期发病率。需重视CSA-AKI的防治,并加强肾功能的长期随访,以改善患者的远期预后。     

高龄老年患者急性肾损伤后肾功能恢复调查及危险因素分析:652例报告

目的了解高龄老年急性肾损伤(AKI)患者肾功能恢复率,临床特点及肾功能未恢复的危险因素,分析不同AKI病因对老年患者短期预后的影响及不同AKI分期与肾功能恢复的关系。方法回顾性分析2007年1月至2015年12月就诊于解放军总医院老年病房≥75岁的AKI患者652例,随访90 d,根据生存情况将患者分为生存组和死亡组,生存患者按肾功能恢复情况分为恢复组和未恢复组。收集患者基本资料、临床特征(诊断时间、平均动脉压、尿量、透析、机械通气、实验室指标和持续性AKI比例)、AKI分期及AKI病因。应用SPSS 17.0软件对数据进行分析,根据数据类型,两组间比较采用t检验、Mann-Whitney U检验、x~2检验或Fisher精确检验;AKI患者肾功能恢复的危险因素分析采用多因素logistic回归法(向前法)。结果患者中位年龄87(84~91)岁,随访90 d病死率为33.6%(219/652),存活的433例患者中,肾功能恢复组316例(73%,316/433),未恢复组117例(27%,117/433)。感染、血容量不足、心血管事件、肾毒性药物和外科手术是老年人医院获得性AKI的主要病因,其中死亡组发生感染比例明显高于生存组(53.0%vs33.0%;P0.001),肾毒性药物使用率明显低于生存组(5.5%vs15.2%;P=0.001),差异均有统计学意义。恢复组基本资料与未恢复组相比,糖尿病史比例较高,基础血清肌酐(SCr)值较低,基础估算的肾小球滤过滤(eGFR)较高,差异均有统计学意义(P0.01)。恢复组临床特征与未恢复组相比,AKI诊断时间较短,确诊AKI时SCr及SCr峰值水平较低,血尿素氮(BUN)水平较高,透析需要率和持续性AKI比例降低,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);恢复组AKI分期与未恢复组相比,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。多因素logistic回归分析显示基础eGFR升高(OR=0.897,95%CI0.842~0.956;P=0.001)是影响高龄老年AKI患者90 d肾功能恢复的保护因素;持续性AKI(OR=4.497,95%CI2.774~7.290;P0.001)是肾功能未恢复的危险因素。结论临床医师要识别影响老年AKI预后的关键病因,即感染及应用肾毒性药物,关注基础eGFR降低及持续性AKI的存在情况,及早检测、早期干预可能会改善老年AKI患者的肾脏预后。     

老年住院患者急性肾损伤后肾科医师会诊率及早期会诊影响因素分析

目的了解非肾科病房老年人急性肾损伤(AKI)后的肾科医师会诊率,比较邀请肾科医师会诊和没有邀请会诊的2组老年AKI患者的临床特征,分析影响肾科医师早期会诊的因素。方法回顾性分析2007年1月1日至2015年12月31日就诊于解放军总医院老年病房住院患者的病历资料639例。根据有无邀请肾科医师会诊分为2组:会诊组(n=154)和未会诊组(n=485),其中会诊组又依据会诊时间的早晚分为2个亚组:早期会诊组(n=95)和延迟会诊组(n=59)。早期会诊定义为AKI发生后48 h内邀请会诊,晚期会诊定义为AKI发生48 h后邀请会诊。采用SPSS 17.0软件进行统计分析。采用多因素logistic分析影响会诊及会诊时间的相关因素。结果 639例患者,中位年龄87(84,91)岁。24.1%(154/639)的患者邀请了肾科医师会诊,中位会诊时间是AKI发生后2(1,4)d;其中61.7%(95/154)的患者为早期会诊,中位会诊时间是AKI发生后1(1,2)d。多因素logistic回归分析显示,邀请肾科医师会诊的患者伴有慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)病史的比例较高(OR=1.685,95%CI 1.057~2.687,P=0.028)、AKI诊断时间早(OR=0.899,95%CI 0.821~0.985,P=0.022)、血肌酐(SCr)峰值水平(OR=1.005,95%CI 1.002~1.007,P0.001)和血尿素氮(BUN)水平(OR=1.020,95%CI 1.001~1.039,P=0.036)均较未邀请肾科医师会诊的患者高。肾科医师会诊有38.3%(59/154)是滞后的(48 h),中位会诊时间是AKI发生后4(3,8)d。多因素logistic回归分析显示,AKI诊断时间较晚(OR=1.214,95%CI 1.041~1.416,P=0.013)、尿量不减少(OR=0.115,95%CI 0.014~0.953,P=0.045)和尿酸水平不高(OR=0.997,95%CI 0.994~0.999,P=0.014)是影响肾科医师早期会诊的独立危险因素。结论 AKI诊断时间不仅影响肾科医师会诊,也是导致会诊不及时的原因,早期诊断AKI有助于肾科医师的早期会诊。     

格拉斯哥预后评分对HBV相关慢加急性肝衰竭患者死亡的预测价值

目的探讨格拉斯哥预后评分(GPS)对HBV相关慢加急性肝衰竭(HBV-ACLF)患者死亡的预测价值。方法选取新疆医科大学第一附属医院2008年4月至2012年4月住院期间诊断为HBV-ACLF的患者437例,依据GPS评分对患者进行分组,比较不同GPS评分组的死亡比率。计量资料符合正态分布两组间比较采用t检验,三组及以上采用F检验;计数资料比较采用χ2检验。采用Cox生存回归筛选随访期间[30(5~825)d]患者死亡的的影响因素。结果 HBV-ACLF患者随访期间病死率为68.0%(297/437)。GPS评分越高的分组住院期间消化道出血比例、肝性脑病比例、肝肾综合征比例和终末期肝病模型(MELD)就越高,且差异具有统计学意义(P值均0.05)。Cox回归分析显示,肝性脑病(Ⅰ~Ⅱvs无肝性脑病:HR:2.520,95%CI:1.479~4.293,P=0.001;Ⅲ~Ⅳvs无肝性脑病:HR:3.678,95%CI:1.920~7.047,P0.001),肝肾综合征(HR:2.374,95%CI:1.452~3.881,P=0.001),消化道出血(HR:1.616,95%CI:1.153~2.262,P=0.004),抗病毒治疗(HR:0.668,95%CI:0.518~0.862,P=0.002),GPS评分(1 vs 0:HR:2.055,95%CI:1.653~2.702,P=0.001;2 vs 0:HR:4.520,95%CI:3.288~6.932,P=0.007)和HBV-ACLF患者死亡密切相关。结论 GPS评分对HBV-ACLF患者的短期和长期死亡风险预测作用较好,且高GPS评分为HBV-ACLF患者死亡的危险因素。     

HBsAg定量检测对慢性重型乙型肝炎患者预后的预测价值

目的探索HBs Ag定量对慢性重型乙型肝炎患者预后的预测价值。方法回顾性分析2012年1月~(-2)015年8月吉林大学第一医院收治的慢性HBV感染的重型肝炎患者61例,并随访患者90 d。患者血清HBs Ag水平通过微粒子发光法检测。受试者工作特征曲线用于选取HBs Ag的临界值,据此将患者分为4组:HBs Ag1.63 log10IU/ml组、1.63 log10IU/ml~2.61 log10IU/ml组、2.61 log10IU/ml~3.62 log10IU/ml组和HBs Ag3.62 log10IU/ml组。计量资料多组间比较采用Kruskal-Wallis检验,2组间比较采用Mann-Whitney U检验。计数资料组间比较采用Fisher精确检验。多组间生存曲线比较采用log-rank检验。Cox单因素和多因素回归用于分析与慢性重型乙型肝炎预后相关的因素,获得每个变量的风险比(HR)。相关性比较采用Spearman相关分析。结果4组患者的生存时间差异有统计学意义(χ~2=18.261,P0.001)。HBs Ag1.63 log10IU/ml组的90 d生存率显著低于2.61log10IU/ml~3.62 log10IU/ml组(χ~2=10.283,P=0.001)和HBs Ag3.62 log10IU/ml组(χ~2=17.236,P0.001)。Cox多因素回归分析结果显示:HBs Ag[HR=0.562,95%可信区间(95%CI):0.364~0.870,P=0.010]、血尿素氮(HR=1.111,95%CI:1.042~1.185,P=0.001)、肝性脑病(HR=4.123,95%CI:1.729~9.830,P=0.001)和MELD评分(HR=1.093,95%CI:1.024~1.166,P=0.007)是影响慢性重型乙型肝炎患者90 d生存率的独立因素。HBs Ag与HBV DNA呈低度正相关(r=0.326,P=0.01)。结论血清HBs Ag水平为预测慢性重型乙型肝炎预后的重要因子。     

连续性肾脏替代治疗时机对脓毒症相关急性肾损伤患者28天预后的影响

目的探讨重症监护病房(ICU)中脓毒症相关急性肾损伤(SI-AKI)患者临床特点及连续性肾脏替代治疗(CRRT)时机对28 d预后的影响。方法回顾性分析2017年6月至2018年12月解放军总医院第一医学中心重症医学科SI-AKI患者44例,根据AKI发生48 h内是否行CRRT分为早期CRRT组29例和晚期CRRT组15例,比较2组患者各项生理功能指标及28 d预后情况。应用SPSS 17.0统计软件对数据进行分析。Kaplan-Meier生存分析患者28 d预后。结果根据KDIGO分期标准,AKI 1期13.6%(6/44),2期18.2%(8/44),3期68.2%(30/44)。短暂性AKI占18.2%(8/44),持续性AKI占81.8%(36/44)。AKI发生28 d时15例死亡。早期CRRT组相比晚期CRRT组患者糖尿病比例(31.0%和6.7%,P=0.048)高,CRRT时收缩压[(114±15)和(130±20)mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa),P=0.005]、平均动脉压[(82±11)和(91±18)mmHg,P=0.040]、血肌酐(197.0和418.9μmol/L,P=0.002)、尿素氮(12.9和35.0 mmol/L,P0.001)、血钙(1.9和2.0 mmol/L;P=0.007)、血镁(0.7和0.8 mmol/L,P=0.013)水平低,血红蛋白[(96±26)和(84±13)g/L,P=0.046]及血乳酸(3.8和1.7 mmol/L,P=0.009)水平高,AKI 3期患者比例(58.6%和86.7%,P=0.041)低。早期CRRT组患者28 d病死率31%(9/29),晚期CRRT组患者28 d病死率40%(6/15),2组比较差异无统计学意义(P=0.575)。结论早期CRRT没有明显改善SI-AKI患者28d病死率。     

早期AFP应答对经肝动脉化疗栓塞术后中期肝细胞癌患者预后的预测价值

目的对AFP应答进行最佳定义并探讨AFP应答与经肝动脉化疗栓塞术(TACE)治疗BCLC-B期肝细胞癌疗效的关系。方法回顾性纳入2010年1月-2014年12月在西京消化病医院消化介入科行TACE治疗连续的中期肝细胞癌患者116例,利用受试者工作特征曲线确定AFP变化率的最佳临界值,将术后AFP降低程度大于临界值的定义为AFP应答(AFP-R)组,其余为AFP不应答(AFP-NR)组。采用Kaplan-Meier法进行生存分析,生存时间的比较采log-rank检验,利用Cox回归进行多因素预后分析。结果中位肿瘤大小为7.5 cm,112例(96.6%)患者的肝功能为Child-Pugh A级。术后1个月AFP较基线降低16%为最佳临界值。AFP-R组的生存明显高于AFP-NR组,中位生存时间分别为26.6(20.9~32.3)个月和7.0(5.2~8.8)个月[风险比(HR)=3.56,95%可信区间(95%CI):2.12~5.95,P0.001],在亚组分析中同样能证实AFP-R组的预后明显优于AFPNR组(P值均0.05),多因素分析发现年龄(HR=0.97,95%CI:0.95~0.99,P=0.003)、肿瘤大小(HR=1.14,95%CI:1.06~1.22,P0.001)、ECOG体能评分(HR=2.15,95%CI:1.24~3.73,P=0.006,)、AFP应答(HR=1.56,95%CI:2.12~5.95,P0.001)是影响患者生存的独立危险因素。结论早期AFP应答可预测经TACE治疗的中期肝细胞癌患者的预后。     

RIFLE AKIN和KDIGO 3种急性肾损伤诊断标准在急性心肌梗死患者中的应用比较

目的 比较风险、损伤、衰竭、失功能、终末期肾病（RIFLE）、急性肾损伤网络（AKIN）和改善全球肾脏病预后组织（KDIGO）3种急性肾损伤（AKI）诊断标准对急性心肌梗死（AMI）患者AKI的诊断效率及其对早期（住院期间）死亡的预测能力。方法 回顾性分析2011年7月至2016年12月北京安贞医院收治住院的4610例AMI患者的临床资料。根据RIFLE、AKIN和KDIGO 3种标准统计住院期间AKI发生率,应用二元logistic回归分析住院死亡的危险因素,应用受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线比较3个标准对AMI患者住院死亡的预测准确性,应用Hosmer-Lemeshow拟合曲线来评估模型的拟合优度。结果 根据RIFLE、AKIN和KDIGO标准,AMI患者住院期间AKI发生率分别为9.2%、9.9%和12.7%。RIFLE(OR 5.49,95%CI 2.83～10.63,P<0.001)、AKIN(OR 9.74,95%CI 4.86～19.52,P<0.001)和KDIGO(OR 7.69,95%CI 3.87～15.30,P<0.001)标准诊断的AKI均是A...     

急性心肌梗死患者非手术相关性急性肾损伤

目的:探讨急性心肌梗死(AMI)非手术相关性急性肾损伤(AKI)的危险因素。方法:回顾性分析2008-12-01~2012-12-31在苏州大学附属第三医院诊断AMI后未行手术治疗发生AKI的患者及对照组人群资料共计656例,根据KDIGO指南推荐的标准定义AKI。结果:AMI后非手术(包括冠脉造影术、冠脉搭桥术)治疗后发生的AKI共计228例(34.8%),其病死率显著高于对照组(P0.001)。多因素Logistic回归分析结果 :基线e GFR下降(OR=2.049,95%CI 1.246~3.370)、空腹血糖(FBG)升高(OR=1.070,95%CI 1.018~1.124)、利尿剂(OR=1.867,95%CI 1.220~2.856)和心肌梗死KillipⅣ级(OR=1.362,95%CI 1.059~3.170)是AKI患病的独立危险因素(P0.05),入院时舒张压(DBP)增高(OR=0.986,95%CI 0.974~0.998)是AKI患病的保护性因素(P0.05)。结论:住院AMI非手术治疗患者发生AKI的患病率、病死率较高。基础肾功能减退、空腹血糖增加、心功能下降及利尿剂为该人群患病的独立危险因素,基础舒张压水平升高为保护性因素。     

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.