左心室-动脉耦联对严重脓毒症/脓毒性休克患者预后的影响

目的探讨左心室-动脉耦联对严重脓毒症/脓毒性休克患者预后的影响。方法选取2017年3月至2019年11月于盐城市第一人民医院治疗的严重脓毒症/脓毒性休克患者80例,根据预后情况分为存活组(n=41)和死亡组(n=39),比较两组血液动力参数、急性生理与慢性健康评分Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ)、序贯器官衰竭(SOFA)评分、左心室-动脉耦联评估指标,即有效主动脉弹性/左心室收缩末期弹性(Ea/Ees)等。结果死亡组乳酸(Lac)为(5.58±1.12)mmol/L,明显高于存活组(P0.05);死亡组APACHEⅡ、SOFA评分分别为(27.37±4.10)分和(14.39±3.05)分,明显高于存活组(P0.05);死亡组Ea/Ees、左心室收缩末期容积(LVESV)分别为(1.88±0.19)和(97.03±9.90)ml,明显高于存活组(P0.05),而每搏输出量(SV)和心指数(CI)分别为(43.30±9.90)ml和(2.40±0.90)L/(min·m2),明显低于存活组(P0.05);Logistic回归分析结果显示:Ea/Ees、APACHEⅡ、SOFA评分、Lac是严重脓毒症/脓毒性休克患者死亡的影响因素(OR=1.578、1.366、1.402和1.347,P0.05)。结论左心室-动脉耦联对严重脓毒症/脓毒性休克患者预后有一定影响,值得进一步研究。     

动脉血乳酸和早期乳酸清除率对老年脓毒症患者预后判断的价值

目的探讨动脉血乳酸和早期乳酸清除率对老年脓毒症患者预后的判断价值。方法选择该院收治的老年脓毒症患者76例,于患者入院即刻、入院6、24、48 h测定患者动脉血乳酸,并计算入院6、24、48 h乳酸清除率,入院24 h急性生理和慢性健康状态评分Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ),根据患者入院即刻动脉血乳酸水平将患者分为乳酸正常组(血乳酸<2.0 mmol/L,n=26例)、轻度升高组(2.0 mmol/L≤血乳酸<4.0 mmol/L,n=33例)和重度升高者(血乳酸≥4.0 mmol/L,n=17例),观察患者预后情况。结果①重度升高组APACHEⅡ评分、住院时间、呼吸机使用率、多器官功能障碍综合征(MODS)发病率及病死率明显高于轻度升高组和正常组(P<0.05)。②76例患者死亡29例,存活47例,死亡组入院即刻、入院6、24、48 h血乳酸水平明显高于存活组,入院6、24、48 h乳酸清除率明显低于存活组(P<0.05)。结论动脉血乳酸和早期乳酸清除率与脓毒血症患者预后有密切的关系,动脉血乳酸水平和乳酸清除率是评估老年脓毒症患者预后的有效指标。     

连续性肾脏替代治疗对老年脓毒症患者的疗效分析

目的探讨连续性肾脏替代治疗(CRRT)对老年脓毒症患者的疗效。方法采用前瞻性研究方法选取2014年1月至2017年6月海南省儋州市人民医院重症医学科收治的156例老年脓毒症患者为研究对象,按照随机数字表法随机分为CRRT组和对照组,每组各78例。对照组采用常规治疗,CRRT组在常规治疗的基础上采用CRRT。观察2组患者治疗前及治疗3、7 d后外周血免疫指标、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、降钙素原(PCT)及高敏C-反应蛋白(hs-CRP)水平及急性生理与慢性健康状况评分系统Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ)、多器官功能障碍综合征(MODS)评分及序贯性器官衰竭评估评分(SOFA)。治疗28 d后,对2组疗效进行比较。采用SPSS 19.0软件对数据进行统计分析。根据数据类型,组间比较采用t检验、重复测量的方差分析或χ~2检验。结果 2组患者治疗7 d后CD3~+、CD4~+及CD14~+水平均显著高于治疗前和治疗3 d后,且CRRT组治疗7 d后CD3~+[(69.3±8.7)%vs(63.8±8.4)%]、CD4~+[(36.8±13.3)%vs(31.5±10.6)%]及CD14~+[(55.7±6.8)%vs(46.8±6.5)%]水平均显著高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。2组患者治疗7 d后IL-6、TNF-α、PCT及hs-CRP水平均显著低于治疗前和治疗3 d后,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);CRRT组治疗3 d后IL-6、TNF-α、PCT及hs-CRP水平显著低于治疗前,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗3、7 d后CRRT组上述指标均显著低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义[IL-6:(40.7±3.8)vs(68.4±5.2)ng/L,(18.5±2.6)vs(37.8±3.5)ng/L;TNF-α:(28.4±10.7)vs(36.5±14.2)μg/L,(20.3±7.8)vs(27.9±11.4)μg/L;PCT:(4.3±1.7)vs(6.2±2.3)μg/L,(1.3±0.8)vs(3.6±1.4)μg/L,hs-CRP:(52.6±15.4)vs(71.3±18.4)mg/L,(22.5±9.3)vs(36.4±12.7)mg/L;P0.05]。2组患者治疗7 d后APACHEⅡ、MODS及SOFA评分均明显低于治疗前,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);CRRT组治疗7 d后APACHEⅡ、MODS及SOFA评分亦显著低于治疗3 d后,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗7 d后CRRT组APACHEⅡ[(10.8±4.2)vs(14.3±4.8)分]、MODS[(4.5±1.9)vs(6.1±2.3)分]及SOFA评分[(3.6±1.4)vs(5.8±1.7)分]显著低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗28 d后,CRRT组治愈率明显高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(70.5%vs 48.7%,P=0.006)。结论 CRRT辅助常规治疗对老年脓毒症患者的临床疗效有所改善,可提高患者的免疫功能及降低炎症反应。     

C反应蛋白、白蛋白比值与多评分系统对脓毒症严重程度和预后的评估价值比较

目的:分析C反应蛋白(CRP)、白蛋白(ALB)比值与多评分系统对脓毒症严重程度和预后的评估价值。方法:选取脓毒症患者117例,根据脓毒症严重程度分为脓毒症组与重脓毒症组,均在入院后24h内检测CRP、ALB水平,计算CRP/ALB比值,并进行序贯器官衰竭评分(SOFA)、急性生理与慢性健康状况评估(APACHEⅡ)评分、急诊脓毒症死亡风险评分(MEDS)、简化急性生理学评分(SAPSⅡ)、快速急诊内科评分(REMS)、改良早期预警评分(MEWS),分析CRP/ALB值与各评分系统对脓毒症严重程度和预后的评估价值,采用Pearson多重线性分析计算CRP/ALB值与脓毒症严重程度和预后的相关性。结果:存活患者入院24h CRP/ALB比值低于死亡患者,脓毒症组入院24h CRP/ALB比值低于重脓毒症组(均P 0.05)。存活患者SOFA评分、APACHEⅡ评分、MEDS评分、SAPSⅡ评分、REMS评分、MEWS评分均低于死亡组,脓毒症组SOFA评分、APACHEⅡ评分、MEDS评分、SAPSⅡ评分、MEWS评分均低于重脓毒症组(均P 0.05)。死亡患者患糖尿病的构成比高于存活组(18.8%vs 5.9%,P 0.05)。CRP/ALB值与脓毒症患者严重程度呈正相关(r=0.672),与预后呈正相关(r=0.596)。结论:CRP/ALB值对脓毒症病情和预后有较高的评估价值,而各项评分在一定程度上均可反映脓毒症患者病情,部分指标对预后有一定的预测价值。     

老年脓毒症患者血糖变异度与预后的相关性

目的探讨老年脓毒症患者血糖变异度与预后的相关性。方法选取老年脓毒症患者120例,根据空腹血糖(FPG)情况分为3组,4.4~6.1 mmol/L患者42例为A组,6.2~8.3 mmol/L患者41例为B组,8.4~10.0 mmol/L患者37例为C组,均行感染相关器官衰竭(SOFA)评分、急性生理和慢性健康评估系统(APACHE)Ⅱ评分。分析血糖变异度与预后的关系。结果 A组脓毒症严重程度、预后均明显好于B组和C组,SOFA评分、APACHEⅡ评分、最高血糖、平均血糖、血糖标准差、血糖变异系数、平均每日△血糖均明显低于B组和C组。B组脓毒症严重程度、预后均明显好于C组,SOFA评分、APACHEⅡ评分、最高血糖、平均血糖、血糖标准差、血糖变异系数、平均每日△血糖均明显低于C组。存活患者最高血糖、平均血糖、血糖标准差、血糖变异系数、平均每日△血糖均明显低于死亡患者(均P<0.05)。最高血糖、平均血糖、血糖标准差、血糖变异系数、平均每日△血糖与预后存在明显正相关。结论老年脓毒症患者血糖变异度与预后的关系密切。脓毒症越严重,血糖变异度越大,预后越差。     

血清降钙素原水平对严重脓毒症早期诊断和病情评估的临床意义

目的:探讨血清降钙素原水平对急诊严重脓毒症患者早期诊断和病情评估的临床意义。方法:60例患者分为脓毒症组20例,严重脓毒症组40例。在24 h内检测2组患者血清白细胞计数、C反应蛋白和降钙素原水平,计算急性生理与慢性健康状况评分Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ),并绘制受试者工作特征曲线(ROC曲线)。另外,根据28 d后的生存结局,将严重脓毒症组分为存活组18例,死亡组22例。采用多因素logistic回归分析筛选其预测死亡的独立危险因素。结果:严重脓毒症组同脓毒症组相比,降钙素原(17.02±2.09)vs(1.85±0.31)ng/mL,白细胞计数(17.96±9.45)vs(11.11±4.95)×109/L,APACHEⅡ评分(25.63±6.56)vs(15.00±6.58),均有统计学差异(均P0.05);ROC曲线分析显示,降钙素原的曲线下面积(AUC)为0.889,与APACHEⅡ评分的曲线下面积(0.866)相当,其截断值为10.12 ng/mL,敏感性为87.5%,特异性为81.2%。严重脓毒症死亡组同存活组相比,仅APACHEⅡ评分(29.25±6.02 vs 22.00±6.00,P0.05)存在统计学差异,多因素logistic回归分析发现,APACHEⅡ评分(OR=1.227,95%CI 1.034~1.456,P=0.019)是预测死亡的独立危险因素。结论:降钙素原有助于早期诊断严重脓毒症并评估病情的严重程度,但初始降钙素原水平不能预测严重脓毒症患者的预后。     

血清降钙素原诊断危重感染临床分析

目的:探讨降钙素原(PCT)在危重感染患者临床病情评估、预后预测中的价值。方法:选取139例脓毒症患者,根据患者入住ICU 24 h内的病情状况将患者分为脓毒症组47例、严重脓毒症组54例和脓毒症休克组38例,分别比较3组患者的血清PCT水平、急性生理与慢性健康评分(APACHEⅡ)、全身性感染相关器官衰竭评分(SOFA)等指标,并根据患者预后分为存活组和死亡组,进行亚组分析。结果:入住ICU 24 h内,不同病情分组患者的血清PCT、WBC、CRP水平、APACHEⅡ及SOFA评分比较(脓毒症组严重脓毒症组脓毒症休克组),差异均具有统计学意义(均P0.05);脓毒症患者的血清PCT水平与患者WBC、CRP、APACHEⅡ评分、SOFA评分均呈显著正相关(均P0.05);存活脓毒症患者的血清PCT、WBC、CRP水平、APACHEⅡ及SOFA评分均显著低于死亡组患者(均P0.05);PCT判断患者预后的最佳临界值为19.84 ng/m L,此时的ROC曲线下面积AUC值为0.857,灵敏度为89.27%,特异度为86.34%。结论:血清PCT水平在危重感染患者临床病情评估、预后预测中具有较高的临床价值。     

中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值对评估急诊脓毒症患者病情及预后的意义

目的：探讨动态监测外周血中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值(NLR)对急诊脓毒症患者病情及预后的评估价值。方法：采用前瞻性研究,连续选取脓毒症患者133例。收集患者入院24h及72h相关化验指标,并计算急性生理与慢性健康状况评估(APACHEⅡ)评分、序贯器官衰竭评估（SOFA）评分。根据患者入院28d后存活情况,分为存活组(92例)和死亡组(41例),比较2组间各指标的差异。绘制受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线并采用多因素Logistic回归分析法分析脓毒症患者预后的危险因素。采用Pearson相关性试验分析NLR与APACHEⅡ评分及SOFA评分的相关性。结果：存活组与死亡组入院24h白细胞、血小板、中性粒细胞、淋巴细胞计数、NLR及降钙素原等比较,差异无统计学意义(均P＞0.05),2组患者血pH、血乳酸、APACHEⅡ、SOFA评分及入院72h白细胞、中性粒细胞、淋巴细胞计数、NLR比较,差异有统计学意义(均P＜0.05)。ROC曲线分析结果显示72h后白细胞、中性粒细胞计数、NLR及APACHEⅡ、SOFA评分预测能力较强,ROC曲线下面积(AUC)分别为0.709、0.728、0.731、0.739、0.716。多因素Logistic回归分析显示72hNLR及APACHEⅡ评分是急诊脓毒症患者预后的独立危险因素。联合72hNLR、淋巴细胞及APACHEⅡ评分3个指标预测脓毒症病死率的ROC曲线下面积为0.803。24h NLR与APACHEⅡ评分、SOFA评分呈正相关(r=0.262,0.193,均P<0.05)。结论：入院时NLR可以评估急诊脓毒症患者的病情;72hNLR和APACHEⅡ评分是脓毒症患者28d死亡的独立危险因素;联合72hNLR、APACHEⅡ评分及72h淋巴细胞计数3个指标预测急诊脓毒症患者预后价值更大。     

血清降钙素原、C-反应蛋白及乳酸对老年脓毒症患者的预后评估

目的探讨老年脓毒症患者血清降钙素原(PCT)、C-反应蛋白(CRP)及乳酸水平与急性生理学与慢性健康状况评分系统Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ)评分及序贯性器官功能衰竭评估(SOFA)评分的相关性,分析其对脓毒症患者的预后评估价值。方法选取我院收治的老年脓毒症患者186例,根据其28 d生存情况的随访结果分为存活组(110例)和死亡组(76例)。检测两组患者血清PCT、CRP及乳酸水平变化,并记录入院时APACHEⅡ、SOFA评分情况。采用t检验、重复测量的方差分析、χ~2检验或Fisher精确检验对两组数据进行分析。应用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线分析血清PCT、CRP及乳酸对老年脓毒症患者预后的评估价值。采用Pearson相关分析法分析死亡组血清PCT、CRP及乳酸水平与APACHEⅡ、SOFA评分的相关性。结果死亡组第1、3、7天血清PCT、CRP及乳酸水平均明显高于存活组(P0.05),且死亡组第7天血清PCT、CRP及乳酸水平明显高于第1、3天(P0.05)。存活组第7天血清PCT、CRP及乳酸水平均明显低于第1、3天(P0.05)。Logistic回归分析发现,PCT、CRP、乳酸及SOFA评分是老年脓毒症患者预后不良的独立影响因素。ROC曲线显示,PCT_(d3)、CRP_(d3)及乳酸_(d3)评估老年脓毒症患者预后的最佳截值分别为9.83μg/L、86.42 mg/L和3.72 mmol/L,其敏感度和特异度较好,分别为81.7%和85.3%,77.5%和79.8%,86.3%和76.2%。相关分析显示,死亡组血清PCT_(d3)与APACHEⅡ评分、SOFA评分的相关性较好(r=0.703,P0.001;r=0.802,P0.001)。结论血清PCT、CRP及乳酸水平与老年脓毒症患者的病情严重程度及预后密切相关,第3天血清PCT水平预测患者预后的价值最大。     

血浆可溶型Fractalkine对重症肺炎患者预后评估的临床意义

目的探讨血浆可溶型Fractalkine(s FKN)水平对重症肺炎患者的预后评估意义。方法选择重症肺炎患者76例(重症肺炎组),根据患者28 d内的临床转归分为存活组(42例)和死亡组(34例)。选择同期普通肺炎患者80例(普通肺炎组)和健康体检者80例(对照组)作为对照。检测所有重症肺炎患者入住监护室后24 h内的血浆s FKN水平,计算其急性生理学与慢性健康状况评分系统Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ)评分和多器官功能障碍(MODS)评分;分析血浆s FKN与APACHEⅡ评分和MODS评分的相关性以及s FKN水平与重症肺炎患者28 d病死率的关系。结果重症肺炎组的血浆s FKN水平明显高于普通肺炎组和对照组(均P0.05)。重症肺炎患者28 d内死亡组的血浆s FKN水平明显高于存活组[(5.03±1.34)ng/m L vs(2.72±1.02)ng/m L,P0.01]。s FKN水平与APACHEⅡ评分和MODS评分呈显著正相关(r_1=0.612、r_2=0.581,均P0.01)。s FKN水平预测重症肺炎患者28 d病死率的受试者工作特征曲线(ROC曲线)下面积为0.870,预测28 d病死率的最佳界值为4.17 ng/m L,该值具有较高的灵敏度(75.9%)和特异度(89.0%)。结论血浆s FKN水平有助于判断重症肺炎患者的病情严重程度,具有良好的预后预测价值。     

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.