IFNL4和IL-28B基因多态性检测评估慢性乙型肝炎患者抗病毒治疗应答价值分析*

目的 探讨检测血干扰素λ4（IFNL4）和白介素-28B（IL-28B）基因多态性对慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）患者抗病毒治疗后应答的评估价值。方法 2015年3月~2017年3月收治的CHB患者140例,均接受聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a治疗12个月。应用市售试剂盒检测外周血IFNL4和IL-28B基因多态性。结果 在治疗结束时,在140例CHB患者中,108例（77.1%）获得应答,32例（22.9%）无应答;应答组IL-28Brsrs8099917位点基因TT型占比为88.9%,显著高于无应答组的68.8%（P<0.05）;应答组血清ALT、AST和HBV DNA水平分别为（35.4±3.2） U/L、（38.6±2.1） U/L和（3.8±2.1） lg copies/ml,均显著低于无应答组的（61.5±4.8） U/L、（73.5±3.0） U/L和（5.2±3.1）lg copies/ml（P<0.05）;125例IFNL4 TT/TT型患者血清ALT、AST和HBV DNA水平分别为（47.1±2.5） U/L、（49.1±1.6） U/L和（4.5±1.2） lg copies/ml,与15例TT/△G型患者的（48.0±2.1） U/L、（59.4±1.5） U/L和（4.7±1.3）lg copies/ml比,无显著性差异（P>0.05）;118例IL-28B TT型患者血清ALT、AST和HBV DNA水平分别为（36.4±2.1） U/L、（38.9±2.7） U/L和（4.0±1.7） lg copies/ml,显著低于22例TG型患者【分别为（59.0±1.4） U/L、（72.1±1.1） U/L和（6.0±2.1） lg copies/ml（P<0.05）。结论 CHB患者IFNL4rs368234815位点基因以TT/TT型和IL-28Brs8099917位点基因以TT型居多,检测IFNL4基因多态性可能对预测抗病毒疗效无明显指导意义,而检测IL-28B基因多态性可能对抗病毒疗效有一定的预测价值。     

慢性乙型肝炎患者血清与粪便HBV DNA水平对比研究

目的 分析慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）患者血清和粪便HBV DNA与血生化指标和肠道菌群的相关性。方法 2015年8月~2017年3月在我院就诊的CHB患者73例,常规检测血生化、HBV标记物和HBV DNA水平,同时收集粪便,测量HBV DNA及双歧杆菌、乳酸杆菌、肠杆菌、肠球菌、梭菌属、白色念珠菌、拟杆菌、普雷沃氏菌、瘤胃球菌等9种肠道菌群DNA,比较血清和粪便HBV DNA与肝功能和肠道菌群DNA的相关性。结果 48例血清HBeAg阳性患者粪便和血清HBV DNA水平分别为（5.9±1.6） copies/ml和（7.2±1.6） copies/ml,均显著高于25例血清HBeAg阴性组的（5.0±1.9） copies/ml和（6.1±1.3） copies/ml （t=4.401,P=0.024;t=5.936,P=0.008）;21例轻度、47例中度和5例重度CHB患者粪便和血清HBV DNA定量水平比较差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）;粪便HBV DNA与血清HBV DNA水平呈正相关（r=0.61,P=0.002）,与血清ALP和TBIL水平呈负相关（r=-0.49,r=-0.54,P<0.05）,而血清HBV DNA与血清ALT或AST水平呈负相关（r=-0.46,P=0.023;r=-0.52,P=0.008）;粪便HBV DNA与肠球菌呈正相关（r=0.49,P=0.005）,而血清HBV DNA与乳酸杆菌呈负相关（r=-0.53,P<0.001）,其余肠道菌群与HBV DNA无明显相关性（P>0.05）。结论 CHB患者粪便存在HBV DNA,其检测的意义还有待于进一步探讨。     

乙型肝炎病毒携带孕妇乳汁和血清 HBV DNA载量与婴儿感染率的关系分析

目的 了解HBV携带孕妇所生婴儿接受母乳喂养后HBV感染情况。方法 2013年6月~2016年8月在我院分娩的128例HBV携带孕妇,其中HBeAg阳性74例, HBeAg阴性54例。采用PCR法检测血清和乳汁HBV DNA水平。结果 HBeAg阳性组血清HBV DNA水平为（4.27±1.20） lg copies/ml, 乳汁HBV DNA水平为（3.29±1.02） lg copies/ml, 均显著高于HBeAg阴性组【分别为（1.05±0.23）lg copies/ml和（0.97±0.15）lg copies/ml,P均<0.05】;在婴儿6个月和12个月时,84例HBeAg阳性孕妇所生婴儿HBV感染18例（21.95%）和24例（29.27%）,均显著高于64例HBeAg阴性组婴儿【分别为3例（4.69%）和5例（7.81%）,P均<0.05】。结论 HBeAg阳性孕妇在分娩前后应接受积极的抗病毒治疗,以降低血清和乳汁HBV DNA水平,才能考虑给予婴儿母乳喂养。     

恩替卡韦抗病毒对TACE治疗的HBV DNA阴性乙型肝炎相关性肝癌的影响

目的 探讨应用恩替卡韦预防治疗接受肝动脉化疗栓塞术（TACE）的乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）DNA阴性的乙型肝炎相关性肝细胞癌（HCC）患者对病毒激活的影响。方法 将45例HBV DNA阴性乙型肝炎相关性HCC患者随机分为观察组23例和对照组22例。两组患者均在常规护肝治疗基础上接受TACE治疗,观察组于TACE治疗前1周开始应用恩替卡韦分散片抗病毒治疗,对照组未行抗病毒治疗。采用荧光定量PCR法检测血清HBV DNA,采用微粒发光法检测血清HBV标志物,使用全自动生化分析仪检测血生化指标。观察并比较两组TACE后血清HBV DNA转阳和肝衰竭发生率及生存率情况。结果 在治疗24 w,观察组血清HBV DNA水平仍为<2 lg IU/mL,明显低于对照组的（4.10±2.86） lg IU/mL（P<0.01）,观察组HBV DNA转阳率为8.7%,明显低于对照组的36.4%（P<0.05）;观察组肝衰竭发生率为0.0%,对照组为22.7%,但两组差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;在治疗12 w,观察组血清ALT为（56.75±20.74） IU/L,明显低于对照组的（125.78±42.75） IU/L,PTA为（48.65±8.26）%,明显高于对照组的（42.74±7.42）%（P<0.05）;在24 w,观察组血清ALT水平和Child-Pugh评分分别为（50.73±18.45）IU/L和（6.26±1.46）分,明显低于对照组的（97.48±30.56） IU/L和（7.84±1.65） 分,PTA为（52.45±9.10）%,明显高于对照组的（39.56±6.78）%（均P<0.01）;两组近期临床疗效差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);观察组2 a生存率为69.6%,明显高于对照组的36.4%（P<0.05）。结论 对接受TACE治疗的HBV DNA阴性的乙型肝炎相关性HCC患者,给予恩替卡韦抗病毒预防性治疗可以抑制HBV再激活,改善肝功能。     

恩替卡韦治疗慢性乙型肝炎患者血清HBsAg变化与病毒学应答的相关性研究

目的 探讨应用恩替卡韦治疗HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者血清HBsAg的变化以及与病毒学应答之间的关系。方法 2014年9月~2015年12月我院诊治的142例HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者接受恩替卡韦治疗,观察96周。采用荧光定量PCR 法检测血清HBV DNA,采用酶联免疫吸附法检测HBV 标记物。结果 在治疗24周末,87例患者获得完全病毒学应答,55例获得部分病毒学应答;完全病毒学应答组血清HBeAg 水平为（204.5±64.2）S/CO,显著低于部分应答组的【（226.2±70.5） S/CO,P<0.05】,HBsAg 水平为（2.9±0.2） lg IU/mL,显著低于部分应答组的【（3.4±0.3） lg IU/mL,P<0.05】;在治疗48周末,两组血清HBeAg和HBsAg水平无显著性相差（P>0.05）;在治疗96周末,两组血清HBsAg水平无显著性差异（P>0.05）,但完全病毒学应答组血清HBV DNA水平为（1.1±0.9） lg IU/mL,显著低于部分应答组的【（4.3±0.8） lg IU/mL,P<0.05】。结论 恩替卡韦治疗的HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者血清HBeAg 和HBsAg水平变化不显著,对继续治疗的效果也没有预测意义,因此应对不完全应答的患者早日更换治疗方案。     

恩替卡韦联合双歧杆菌乳杆菌三联活菌片治疗失代偿期乙型肝炎肝硬化临床疗效观察

目的 探讨恩替卡韦联合双歧杆菌乳杆菌三联活菌片治疗失代偿期乙型肝炎肝硬化患者的临床疗效。方法 2015年3月~2017年8月我院收治的120例失代偿期乙型肝炎肝硬化患者被随机分为对照组60例和观察组60例,分别给予恩替卡韦分散片或恩替卡韦联合双歧杆菌乳杆菌三联活菌片治疗,观察24 w。结果 在治疗12 w时,观察组血清TBIL为（16.3±4.2） μmol/L,显著低于对照组的（26.3±5.2） μmol/L（P<0.05）,观察组血清ALB为（32.5±4.2）g/L,显著高于对照组的（30.2±5.3） g/L（P<0.05）;在治疗24 w时,观察组血清ALB为（37.8±2.3） g/L,显著高于对照组的（34.4±4.2） g/L（P<0.05）;观察组血清LN和C- IV分别为（65.2±15.1）ng/ml和（85.5±8.5） ng/ml,显著低于对照组的【（75.3±10.3） ng/ml和（96.2±10.3） ng/ml,P<0.05】;观察组血清HBV DNA水平为（1.0±0.1） lg copies/ml,与对照组的（1.7±0.3） lg copies/ml比,无显著性差异（P>0.05）,血清HBV DNA转阴率为100.0%,与对照组的90.0%比,无显著性差异（P>0.05）;在治疗12 w和24 w,观察组发生自发性细菌性腹膜炎（SBP）5例（8.3%）和2例（3.3%）,显著低于对照组的10例（16.7%）和8例（13.3%,P<0.05）;在治疗24 w末,观察组死亡3例（5%）,而对照组死亡10例（16.7%,P<0.05）。结论 恩替卡韦联合双歧杆菌乳杆菌三联活菌治疗失代偿期乙型肝炎肝硬化患者能短期改善肝功能指标,降低血清肝纤维化指标水平,减少并发症的发生。     

恩替卡韦联合聚乙二醇干扰素或胸腺素治疗代偿期乙型肝炎肝硬化2年疗效随访*

目的 探讨应用恩替卡韦联合聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a（PEG-IFNα-2a）或胸腺素治疗代偿期乙型肝炎肝硬化患者的效果。方法 在88例代偿期乙型肝炎肝硬化患者中,接受恩替卡韦治疗者38例,接受恩替卡韦联合PEG-IFNα-2a治疗者17例,联合胸腺素治疗者33例,随访2年。结果 恩替卡韦治疗组治疗前和治疗104 w末血清HBV DNA水平分别为（5.6±1.7） IU/ml和（1.0±0.7） IU/ml（P<0.05）,联合PEG-IFNα-2a组分别为（5.8±1.3） IU/ml和（1.0±0.7） IU/ml（P<0.05）,联合胸腺素组分别为（6.1±2.0） IU/ml和（1.0±0.9） IU/ml（P<0.05）;恩替卡韦组治疗前和治疗104 w末血清ALB水平分别为（43.1±5.4） g/L和（46.9±4.9） g/L（P<0.05）,联合胸腺素组分别为（43.0±4.0） g/L和（46.8±5.4） g/L（P<0.05）;三组治疗前和治疗104 w末肝脏硬度值和INR无统计学差异（P>0.05）。结论 恩替卡韦能有效抑制HBV DNA复制,维持代偿期肝硬化患者的肝功能,本研究结果看不出联合用药有任何好处,需要进一步观察。     

影响聚乙二醇干扰素α-2b治疗慢性乙型肝炎患者疗效的多因素分析*

目的 探讨应用α-干扰素治疗的慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）患者血清干扰素-γ诱导蛋白-10（IP-10）、I型干扰素受体（IFNAR）和辅助性T细胞17（Th-17）水平变化及其对治疗应答的影响。方法 2015年6月~2017年12月我科收治的105例CHB患者,采用聚乙二醇化干扰素α-2b治疗48周。采用RT-PCR法检测血清HBV DNA载量,采用双抗体夹心法检测血清干扰素-γ诱导蛋白-10（IP-10）,采用RT-PCR法测定外周血单个核细胞α/β干扰素受体（IFNAR-α、IFNAR-β）、辅助性T细胞17（IL-17A）和IL-17F。采用多因素Logistic回归分析影响聚乙二醇化干扰素α-2b治疗CHB患者应答的影响因素。结果 在治疗结束时,在105例CHB患者中获得完全应答56例（53.3%）,未获得完全应答49例;单因素分析显示获得完全应答与未获得完全应答患者血小板、白蛋白、总胆红素、凝血酶原时间、IFNAR-α和IFNAR-β差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）,应答组基线白细胞计数、血清丙氨酸氨基转移酶、HBV DNA、HBsAg、IP-10、IL-17A和、IL-17F水平分别为（5.6±1.7）×10⁹/L、（108.6±9.5） U/L、（5.4±0.8） lg copies/ml、（4.6±0.9） lg IU/ml、（324.5±86.9） pg/ml、（3.2±0.6） 平均荧光强度（MFI）、（3.1±0.5） MFI,与未应答组的（6.4±1.9）×10⁹/L、（82.5±10.0）U/L、（6.1±0.9） lg copies/ml、（5.8±1.1） lgIU/ml、（381.4±79.6） pg/ml、（3.8±0.7） MFI、（3.6±0.7） MFI比,差异显著（P<0.05）;多因素Logistic回归分析显示,血清HBV DNA、HBsAg、IP-10、IL-17A和IL-17F水平是影响α-干扰素治疗CHB患者应答的因素（P<0.05）。结论 除常识性认识到的血清HBV DNA和HBsAg水平外,本研究发现检测血清IP-10和Th-17水平有助于对CHB患者在α-干扰素治疗后应答反应的预测,或许能为临床做出治疗决定有裨益。     

替诺福韦治疗慢性乙型肝炎患者疗效及安全性分析*

目的 观察比较应用替诺福韦（TDF）和恩替卡韦（ETV）治疗慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）患者的疗效和安全性。方法 2015年1月~2016年12月我中心收治的初始治疗的CHB患者60例,采用随机数字表法将患者分为两组,每组30例,分别给予TDF或ETV治疗,观察96 w,比较两组血清HBV DNA和丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）水平和阴转率或复常率及不良反应发生情况。结果 在治疗前、治疗第12 w、24 w、48 w、72 w和96 w,TDF治疗组患者血清HBV DNA水平分别为（7.5±0.9）lg IU/mL、（1.7±1.4）lg IU/mL、（1.1±1.0）lg IU/mL、（1.0±0.8）lg IU/mL、（0.7±0.6）lg IU/mL和（0.6±0.5）lg IU/mL,ETV治疗组则分别为（6.8±1.5）lg IU/mL、（2.1±1.1）lg IU/mL、（1.8±1.1）lg IU/mL、（1.0±0.7）lg IU/mL、（0.8±0.8）lg IU/mL和（0.9±0.8）lg IU/mL,在治疗24 w前,TDF治疗组血清HBV DNA水平显著低于ETV治疗组,差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）; TDF治疗组血清ALT水平分别为（205.8±23.8） U/L、（80.7±8.6） U/L、（49.7±12.5）U/L、（46.2±6.7）U/L、（42.5±6.5）U/L和（41.8±2.4）U/L,ETV治疗组则分别为（199.0±25.9） U/L、（99.8±11.0）U/L、（59.3±9.4）U/L、（53.9±8.8）U/L、（44.62±7.4）U/L和（42.7±4.5）U/L,在治疗24 w前,TDF组血清ALT水平显著低于ETV组（P<0.05）;在治疗第12 w、24 w、48 w、72 w和96 w,TDF组病毒学应答率分别为50.0%、70.0%、73.3%、80.0%和96.7%,而ETV组则分别为23.3%、56.7%、60.0%、70.0%和93.3%,在治疗12 w时,TDF组显著高于ETV组（P<0.05）;TDF组血清ALT复常率分别为63.3%、96.7%、96.7%、100.0%和100.0%,ETV组则分别为50.0%、86.7%、96.7%、96.7%和100.0%,两组无统计学差异（P>0.05）。结论 在当前情况下,应用TDF或ETV任一药物治疗CHB初治患者,均有很好的近期疗效,TDF显示出更早的病毒学应答率,值得进一步观察。     

拉米夫定和阿德福韦酯联合治疗乙型肝炎肝硬化患者疗效分析

目的 分析拉米夫定和阿德福韦酯联合治疗乙型肝炎肝硬化患者的疗效。方法 2012年1月~2014年12月我院消化科诊治的136例乙型肝炎肝硬化患者,将其分为两组,给予对照组常规护肝治疗,给予观察组拉米夫定和阿德福韦酯联合治疗。采用RT-PCR法检测血清HBV DNA水平,使用全自动生化分析仪检测血生化指标,使用全自动血细胞分析仪检测血常规,使用C3510凝血分析仪检测凝血功能指标。结果 在治疗6个月,观察组血清HBV DNA水平为（2.2±0.6）lg copies/ml,显著低于对照组（P>0.05）;血清总胆红素水平和凝血酶原时间国际标准化比值分别为（32.9±5.7）μmol/L和（1.3±0.1）,均显著低于对照组的【（45.9±6.2）μmol/L和（1.5±0.1）,P<0.05】;血清白蛋白水平为（38.7±3.8）g/L,显著高于对照组的【（33.6±3.5）g/L,P<0.05】;血小板计数为（98.1±3.4）×10⁹/L,显著高于对照组的（87.4±3.2）×10⁹/L（P<0.05）;观察1年,观察组出现2例（2.9%）自发性细菌性腹膜炎,2例（2.9%）上消化道出血,对照组出现4例（5.9%）腹膜炎,6例（8.8%）消化道出血和4例（2.9%）肝性脑病。结论 应用拉米夫定和阿德福韦酯联合治疗乙型肝炎肝硬化患者有较好的近期疗效。     

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.