血清YKL-40水平与冠状动脉罪犯血管斑块易损性的相关性研究

目的:探讨血清炎性因子——高敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、血清甲壳质酶蛋白40(YKL-40)水平与冠状动脉(冠脉)病变斑块纤维帽厚度之间的相关性。方法:入选2016-08-2018-08在河南省人民医院心内科择期行冠脉造影的冠心病患者60例,对其临床资料进行回顾性分析。根据冠心病的临床类型,将患者分为稳定性心绞痛(SAP)组(22例)、不稳定性心绞痛(UAP)组(28例)和急性心肌梗死(AMI)组(10例)。检测患者术前血清hs-CRP、YKL-40水平,术中在介入治疗前使用光学相干断层成像(OCT)观察病变斑块的特征,并分析血清hs-CRP、YKL-40水平与纤维脂质斑块纤维帽厚度之间的关系。结果:①AMI组术前血清hs-CRP[(6.85±1.74) mg/L∶(3.86±0.18) mg/L∶(4.12±0.52) mg/L,均P0.05]和YKL-40[(65.16±24.34) ng/ml∶(38.65±10.36) ng/ml∶(54.81±20.58) ng/ml,均P0.05]水平均高于SAP组和UAP组。UAP组术前血清hs-CRP和YKL-40水平均高于SAP组(均P0.05).②AMI组和UAP组的罪犯病变纤维脂质斑块纤维帽厚度均小于SAP组[(57.28±8.61)μm∶(68.56±16.57)μm∶(130.42±32.83)μm,均P0.05],AMI组与UAP组之间的罪犯病变纤维脂质斑块纤维帽厚度差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。AMI组薄纤维帽斑块[80.00%(8/10)∶18.18%(4/22)∶60.71%(17/28),均P0.05]和血栓形成[30.00%(3/10)∶4.54%(1/22)∶10.71%(3/28),均P0.05]的比例均高于SAP组和UAP组;AMI组斑块内钙化的比例低于SAP组[10.00%(1/10)∶40.91%(9/22),P0.05],与UAP组[21.43%(6/28)]之间差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。③Pearson相关分析显示,术前血清hs-CRP(r=-0.265,P0.01)和YKL-40(r=-0.524,P0.01)水平与纤维脂质斑块纤维帽厚度均呈负相关;Spearman相关分析显示,术前血清hs-CRP水平与冠心病患者斑块破裂(r=0.462,P0.01)和血栓形成(r=0.218,P0.01)呈正相关,术前血清YKL-40水平与冠心病患者斑块破裂(r=0.561,P0.01)和血栓形成(r=0.239,P0.01)也呈正相关。④多因素logistic回归分析显示,血清YKL-40水平与薄纤维帽粥样斑块独立相关(OR=6.341,P0.01)。结论:AMI和UAP患者的血清hs-CRP和YKL-40水平均高于SAP者,AMI、UAP和SAP患者罪犯病变的纤维脂质斑块性质有明显差别,AMI患者出现薄纤维帽粥样斑块、斑块破裂及血栓形成的比例较高,而SAP患者出现斑块钙化的比例较高;血清YKL-40水平与冠心病患者罪犯病变的薄纤维帽粥样斑块形成独立相关。     

微小RNA-181b和单核细胞趋化蛋白1表达水平与冠状动脉斑块易损性的关系

目的探讨外周血微小RNA-181b(miR-181b)、单核细胞趋化蛋白1(MCP-1)与冠状动脉斑块易损性的关系。方法选取老年冠心病患者232例,根据冠心病类型分为不稳定性心绞痛(UAP)组96例、稳定性心绞痛(SAP)组88例、急性心肌梗死(AMI)组48例。回顾性分析患者临床资料,检测血清miR-181b、MCP-1水平,使用光学相干断层成像技术测量纤维脂质斑块纤维帽厚度。结果 3组LDL-C、Gensini评分比较,有统计学差异(P0.01)。AMI组miR-181b、纤维帽厚度明显低于UAP组、SAP组,MCP-1水平明显高于UAP组、SAP组(P0.05)。miR-181b与纤维帽厚度呈正相关(r=0.544,P0.05),MCP-1水平与纤维帽厚度呈负相关(r=-0.518,P0.05)。miR-181b、MCP-1、Gensini评分、LDL-C是影响纤维帽厚度的独立影响因素(P0.05,P0.01)。结论血清miR-181b、MCP-1水平是冠心病患者罪犯病变的薄纤维帽粥样硬化斑块形成的独立影响因素。     

老年冠心病患者血清hs-CRP、IL-6水平与不同性质斑块的关系

目的探讨老年冠心病患者血清hs-CRP、IL-6水平与不同性质斑块的关系。方法 146例冠心病患者根据临床表现分为不稳定型心绞痛(UAP)组78例、稳定型心绞痛(SAP)组68例;另取健康志愿者62例作为对照组。检测各组血清hs-CRP和IL-6水平,冠脉内超声检查患者冠脉斑块情况。结果 SAP组和UAP组血清hs-CRP、IL-6水平均明显高于对照组(P均<0.05);UAP组血清hs-CRP、IL-6水平均高于SAP组(P均<0.05);UAP组发生易损斑块比例高于SAP组(P<0.01);IL-6与脂质斑块呈正相关(r=0.238,P<0.05)。结论老年冠心病患者血清IL-6水平与脂质斑块密切相关,可作为脂质斑块的临床预测指标。     

急性心肌梗死患者血清超敏C反应蛋白、脂联素水平变化及其与Gensini评分的相关性研究

目的探究急性心肌梗死(AMI)患者血清超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、脂联素(APN)水平变化,并分析其与Gensini评分的相关性。方法选取2013年7月—2015年9月江汉大学附属医院收治的AMI患者129例(AMI组)、稳定型心绞痛(SAP)患者40例(SAP组)、不稳定型心绞痛(UAP)患者40例(UAP组),另选取同期在本院体检中心体检健康者40例(健康组)。依据冠状动脉Gensini评分再将AMI患者分为A组(Gensini评分40分,n=24)、B组(Gensini评分40~60分,n=45)、C组(Gensini评分61~80分,n=42)、D组(Gensini评分80分,n=18)4个亚组。比较AMI组、SAP组、UAP组患者基础疾病(高血压、糖尿病),4组受试者血脂指标〔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)〕及血清肌酸激酶同工酶(CK-MB)、hs-CRP、APN水平,4个亚组患者血清hs-CRP、APN水平及其与Gensini评分的相关性。结果AMI组、SAP组、UAP组患者高血压发生率、糖尿病发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。4组受试者血清TC、TG、LDL-C水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);健康组受试者血清HDL-C水平高于SAP组、UAP组、AMI组(P0.05),而SAP组与UAP组、SAP组与AMI组、UAP组与AMI组血清HDL水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。健康组受试者血清CK-MB水平低于SAP组、UAP组、AMI组(P0.05);SAP组、UAP组患者血清CK-MB水平低于AMI组(P0.05);而SAP组与UAP组患者血清CK-MB水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。健康组受试者血清hs-CRP水平低于SAP组、UAP组、AMI组,血清APN水平高于SAP组、UAP组、AMI组(P0.05);SAP组患者血清hs-CRP水平均低于UAP组、AMI组,血清APN水平均高于UAP组、AMI组(P0.05);UAP组患者血清hs-CRP水平低于AMI组,血清APN水平高于AMI组(P0.05)。A组患者血清hs-CRP水平均低于B组、C组、D组,血清APN水平均高于B组、C组、D组(P0.05);B组患者血清hs-CRP水平均低于C组、D组,血清APN水平均高于C组、D组(P0.05);C组患者血清hs-CRP水平低于D组,血清APN水平高于D组(P0.05)。Pearson相关性分析结果显示,血清hs-CRP水平与Gensini评分呈正相关(r=0.472,P0.05),血清APN水平与Gensini评分呈负相关(r=-0.338,P0.05)。结论 AMI患者血清hs-CRP水平较高,血清APN水平较低,且血清hs-CRP水平与Gensini评分呈正相关,血清APN水平与Gensini评分呈负相关。     

血清高敏C反应蛋白、脂蛋白相关磷脂酶A2水平与高血压合并冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病患者冠状动脉罪犯血管纤维脂质斑块纤维帽厚度的相关性

目的研究血清高敏C反应蛋白(hsCRP)、脂蛋白相关磷脂酶A2(Lp-PLA2)水平与高血压合并冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病(冠心病)患者冠状动脉罪犯血管纤维脂质斑块纤维帽厚度之间的相关性。方法选取2018年6月至2019年4月在医院住院并确诊的患者,根据病情分为4组:正常血压无冠心病的对照组(117例)、单纯冠心病组(120例)、单纯高血压组(123例)和高血压合并冠心病组(115例)。检测患者术前血清hsCRP、Lp-PLA2水平,使用光学相干断层成像(OCT)观察罪犯血管斑块性质,并分析血清hsCRP、Lp-PLA2水平与纤维脂质斑块纤维帽厚度之间的关系。结果①单纯冠心病组、单纯高血压组和高血压合并冠心病组血清hsCRP、Lp-PLA2水平高于对照组;高血压合并冠心病组血清hsCRP、Lp-PLA2水平较单纯冠心病组、单纯高血压组也明显升高(均P0.05)。②罪犯血管纤维脂质斑块纤维帽厚度,高血压合并冠心病组[(57.12±11.46)μm]比单纯冠心病组[(115.61±21.57)μm]、单纯高血压组[(129.61±19.37)μm]薄(P0.05)。高血压合并冠心病患者发生薄纤维帽粥样斑块及Ⅱ型粥样斑块率较单纯冠心病、单纯高血压显著增高(P0.05)。③Pearson相关分析显示:血清hsCRP和Lp-PLA2水平与纤维脂质斑块纤维帽厚度呈负相关(r=-0.16、-0.28,均P0.05)。④多元线性回归分析显示,血清hsCRP(B=-0.496)、Lp-PLA2(B=-0.344)与薄纤维帽粥样斑块独立相关(均P0.01)。结论血清hsCRP和Lp-PLA2水平与纤维脂质斑块纤维帽厚度呈负相关。     

冠心病患者血清炎症因子表达水平的分析

目的探讨血清炎症因子人软骨糖蛋白39(YKL-40)、氧化型低密度脂蛋白(oxidized low density lipoprotein,ox-LDL)与超敏C反应蛋白(high-sensitivity C-reactive protein,hs-CRP)在冠心病中的表达水平及其敏感度、特异度。方法选取本院心内科住院并于24小时内完成冠状动脉造影术的患者387例,依据冠状动脉造影结果及相关病史分为稳定型心绞痛(stable angina pectoris,SAP)组(n=84)、不稳定型心绞痛(unstable angina pectoris,UAP)组(n=111)、急性心肌梗死(acute myocardial infarction,AMI)组(n=112)和正常对照组(n=80),采用ELISA法测定血清YKL-40、oxLDL和hs-CRP的水平。结果 YKL-40、ox-LDL和hs-CRP表达水平:AMI组高于UAP组、SAP组和正常对照组,各组差异具有统计学意义(P0.05),UAP组高于SAP组和正常对照组,各组差异具有统计学意义(P0.05),SAP组高于正常对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);在冠心病患者中,hs-CRP敏感度高于YKL-40、ox-LDL,hs-CRP特异度高于oxLDL、YKL-40。结论在冠心病患者中,hs-CRP敏感度和特异度高于ox-LDL、YKL-40,联合检测有助于早期识别冠心病高危人群。     

不同类型冠心病患者血清尿酸、hs-CRP水平比较

目的 比较不同类型冠心病患者血清尿酸、hs-CRP水平,探讨其与冠脉病变严重程度的关系.方法 选取不稳定心绞痛（UAP）患者35例、急性心肌梗死（AMI）患者43例、稳定型心绞痛（SAP）患者31例和正常体检者35例,分别为UAP组、AMI组、SAP组和对照组.常规抽血分离血清检测hs-CRP、尿酸水平.结果 ①血清尿酸水平：AMI组、UAP组高于对照组（P均＜0.05）;SAP组与对照组比较无统计学差异;AMI组、UAP组高于SAP组（P均＜0.05）;AMI组高于UAP组（P＜0.05）.②血清hs-CRP水平：AMI组、UAP组、SAP组均高于对照组（P均＜0.05）;AMI组、UAP组、SAP组间比较无统计学差异.Pearson分析示血清尿酸与hs-CRP存在正相关（r=0.553,P＜0.05）.结论 血清尿酸、hs-CRP水平与冠心病的严重程度有关.     

光学相干断层扫描比较不稳定性和稳定性心绞痛患者粥样硬化斑块特征

目的 应用光学相干断层成像(OCT)技术比较不稳定性心绞痛(UAP)和稳定性心绞痛(SAP)患者冠状动脉粥样硬化斑块特征.方法 对临床诊断的23例UAP和24例SAP患者,在完成冠状动脉造影并确诊冠心病后进行OCT检查.根据OCT结果 回顾性比较分析UAP和SAP患者冠状动脉粥样硬化斑块特征,包括富含脂质斑块(≥2个象限的脂质斑块)、斑块纤维帽厚度、薄纤维帽粥样斑块(TCFA)、斑块破裂、钙化和血栓等.结果 47例患者中有44例成功进行OCT检查,包括22例UAP和22例SAP患者.UAP患者冠状动脉富含脂质斑块为91%(20/22),多于SAP患者的73%(16/22),但差异无统计学意义(P=0.741).UAP患者冠状动脉脂质斑块表面纤维帽厚度明显小于SAP患者[(69.5±34.7)μm比(141.1±68.5)μm,P=0.000],纤维帽侵蚀比例为59%(13/22),明显多于SAP患者的9%(2/22,P=0.000);TCFA[73%(16/22)比14%(3/22),P=0.000]和斑块破裂[50%(11/22)比9%(2/22),P=0.003]多于SAP患者.UAP患者冠状动脉斑块表而可见血栓形成多于SAP患者,但差异无统计学意义[27%(6/22)比9%(2/22),P=0.761].在斑块钙化方面,UAP与SAP患者之间差异无统计学意义.结论 OCT技术可清晰显示冠状动脉粥样斑块特征.与SAP患者比较,UAP患者冠状动脉粥样硬化斑块表现为纤维帽更薄、更多的纤维帽侵蚀、更多的破裂斑块和TCFA.     

冠心病患者血清ⅠCTP水平变化及其临床意义

目的探讨冠心病患者血清Ⅰ型胶原羧基末端肽(ⅠCTP)的水平变化及临床意义。方法选择64例冠心病患者作为研究对象,根据不同病情分为心肌梗死组(AMI组,n=17)、不稳定性心绞痛组(UAP组,n=21)和稳定性心绞痛组(SAP组,n=26),选择30例健康体检者作为对照组(C组),比较各组受试者之间的血清ⅠCTP、基质金属蛋白酶-2(MMP-2)、MMP-9、C反应蛋白(CRP)及白介素-6(IL-6)水平,并分析ⅠCTP与MMP-2、MMP-9及血管内超声仪检测结果相关性。结果 AMI组、UAP组血清ⅠCTP、MMP-2、MMP-9、IL-6及CRP水平均显著高于SAP组和C组(P0.05),AMI组血清IL-6水平显著高于UAP组(P0.05);SAP组最狭窄斑块面积、斑块负荷及脂质、坏死比例均低于UAP组+AMI组(P0.05),斑块纤维组成高于UAP组+AMI组(P0.05);ⅠCTP与斑块纤维组成、脂质比例及MMP-2、MMP-9存在正相关(P0.05)。结论冠心病患者血清ⅠCTP水平明显升高,可作为粥样斑块不稳定性的评估指标。     

冠心病病人PCI术前后血清YKL-40和hs-CRP变化及相关性研究

目的测定冠心病病人PCI术前后血清人类软骨糖蛋白39(YKL-40)及超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)的变化,探讨二者的变化规律及相关性。方法入选行择期经皮冠脉介入病例76例,根据临床表现分为稳定心绞痛组(SAP)26例,不稳定心绞痛组(UAP)24例,急性心梗组(AMI)26例。同期选取冠脉造影证实无冠脉病变的正常对照组22例。采用酶联免疫吸附法检测入选病例,行冠脉造影或介入治疗术前后的YKL-40及hs-CRP水平,分析其相关性。结果与正常对照组相比,各组血清YKL-40及hsCRP水平均增高,斑块稳定性越差水平越高,各组间差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);除正常对照组外,各组介入治疗术后血清YKL-40及hs-CRP水平均高于术前,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);PCI术前后血清hs-CRP浓度与YKL-40浓度呈正相关,相关系数分别为0.649和0.654。结论 YKL-40联合hs-CRP可能更好的评估冠心病病人炎症状态,一定程度上反应冠脉斑块的不稳定性。     

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.     

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.     

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.