非结核分枝杆菌肺病和活动性肺结核的高分辨率CT表现异同性分析

目的 探讨非结核分枝杆菌肺病和活动性继发性肺结核的高分辨率CT(HRCT)表现异同性。方法 回顾性分析2012年1月至2017年12月首都医科大学附属北京胸科医院住院并经临床及实验室检查确诊为非结核分枝杆菌肺病患者74例(NTM肺病组)和初治活动性继发性肺结核患者100例(肺结核组)的HRCT表现,比较两组病变分布及HRCT表现。采用SPSS 17.0软件进行统计学分析,计数资料采用χ ²检验,以P<0.05为差异有统计学意义。结果 两组患者CT分型比较,NTM肺病组结节-支气管扩张型(51.4%,38/74)多于肺结核组(14.0%,14/100),两组比较差异有统计学意义(χ ²=28.316, P=0.000);肺结核组结节-肿块型(21.0%,21/100)多于NTM肺病组(8.1%,6/74),差异有统计学意义(χ ²=5.392,P=0.020)。肺结核组病变分布优势部位位于上叶者(82.0%,82/100)明显多于NTM肺病组(59.5%,44/74),差异有统计学意义(χ ²=10.817,P=0.001); NTM肺病组优势部位位于中叶和(或)舌叶者(16.2%,12/74)较肺结核组(5.0%,5/100)患者多见,差异有统计学意义(χ ²=6.069,P=0.014)。比较HRCT表现,肺结核组支气管扩张的发生率(61.0%,61/100)较NTM肺病组(93.2%,69/74)低,差异有统计学意义(χ ²=23.403,P=0.000);且NTM肺病组支气管扩张分布优势部位位于中叶和(或)舌叶者(39.1%,27/69)多于肺结核组(13.1%,8/61),差异有统计学意义(χ ²=11.138,P=0.001);而肺结核组分布优势部位位于上叶者(70.5%,43/61)多于NTM肺病组(39.1%,27/69),差异有统计学意义(χ ²=12.813,P=0.000);肺结核组实变影(86.0%,86/100)较NTM肺病组(67.6%,50/74)多,差异有统计学意义(χ ²=8.465,P=0.004)。NTM肺病组空洞位于肺周边邻近胸膜增厚者(95.1%,39/41)较肺结核组(61.8%,42/68)多,差异有统计学意义(χ ²=14.909,P=0.000)。NTM肺病组中结节<1cm者(88.5%,54/61)较肺结核组(54.9%,50/91)多见,差异有统计学意义(χ ²=19.059,P=0.000);肺结核组中多种大小不等的结节混合存在者(31.9%,29/91)较NTM肺病组(8.2%,5/61)多见,差异有统计学意义(χ ²=11.784,P=0.001)。肺结核组并发胸腔积液(34.0%,34/100)较NTM肺病组(20.3%,15/74)多见,差异有统计学意义(χ ²=3.963, P=0.047)。 结论 NTM肺病和肺结核HRCT表现有一定的相似性及相异性。CT分型、支气管扩张的分布及优势部位、实变的发生率、结节的大小对鉴别诊断有意义,紧密结合临床有助于诊断。     

高分辨率CT在非结核分枝杆菌肺病诊治中的价值

搜集广州市胸科医院2015年3月至2017年9月经菌种鉴定为非结核分枝杆菌(NTM)肺病、并行胸部高分辨率CT(HRCT)检查的99例患者,回顾性分析肺内病灶部位、数量、形态、大小、密度、边界、分布及淋巴结的CT征象;评估99例NTM肺病患者治疗前后HRCT的表现。HRCT检查表现为斑点片状渗出、实变93例,支气管扩张78例,空洞60例,纤维条索状影59例,结节状影58例,树芽征55例,磨玻璃样影46例,淋巴结肿大45例,胸膜增厚18例,胸腔积液9例,病变通常以多种形态混杂存在。91例NTM肺病患者经克拉霉素、利福平、乙胺丁醇及阿米卡星治疗6~18个月后CT复查,显示病灶均减少;8例患者经HRCT精准定位后行患侧肺叶切除术,术后肺部病灶明显减少,但均出现术侧胸膜肥厚粘连。胸部HRCT对NTM肺病的诊断及治疗具有重要的应用价值。     

结核病专科非结核分枝杆菌肺病菌种分布及病例特点研究

目的 研究309医院结核病研究所接收的肺病病人中非结核分枝杆菌(NTM)肺病的菌种分布及病例特点,为临床诊断提供思路。方法 收集309医院结核病研究所临床实验室2014年9月至2018年3月非结核分枝杆菌阳性报告,根据2012年版中华医学会《非结核分枝杆菌病诊断与治疗专家共识》建立确诊NTM肺病组,研究NTM肺病组中NTM的分布特点;根据NTM肺病组病例的年龄、性别、地域和发病时限建立配对肺结核组,研究两组病人基础状态的差别。结果 NTM阳性108例,分离率为4.66%。确诊NTM肺病72例,分离率为3.10%,90%病例来自华北和东北地区。包括胞内分枝杆菌(33/72, 45.8%),龟/脓肿分枝杆菌(27/72, 37.5%),鸟分枝杆菌(7/72, 9.7%),堪萨斯分枝杆菌(3/72, 4.2%),蟾蜍分枝杆菌(2/72, 2.8%)。NTM肺病患者明确诊断用时平均27.8±30.8个月;平均年龄64.1±18.0岁;男女比例1.88∶1;>80岁组全部为男性,11/13为龟/脓肿分枝杆菌肺病;NTM肺病患者的基础性呼吸系统慢性疾病发生率高于肺结核病患者,差异有统计学意义(χ²=4.141,P=0.042);女性NTM肺病的基础性支气管扩张发生率显著高于男性NTM肺病患者(χ²=10.277,P=0.006)。龟/脓肿分枝杆菌肺病平均年龄75.2±14.8岁,胞内NTM肺病患者平均年龄59.9±17.0岁,这两种肺病的年龄分布差异有统计学意义(χ²=14.832,P=0.011)。结论 华北东北地区主要的NTM肺病致病菌是胞内分枝杆菌和龟/脓肿分枝杆菌;40岁之后NTM肺病发病率随年龄增多;80岁之后以龟/脓肿分枝杆菌为主;女性NTM肺病发病年龄相对小,基础性支气管扩张是女性NTM肺病的易感因素;NTM肺病明确诊断用时长,分枝杆菌核酸检验可以显著提高诊断效率。     

鸟-胞内分枝杆菌复合群与龟-脓肿分枝杆菌肺病并发支气管扩张的CT征象比较

目的 探讨鸟-胞内分枝杆菌复合群(MAC)肺病与龟-脓肿分枝杆菌肺病并发支气管扩张患者CT征象的差异,提高对两种疾病并发支气管扩张的鉴别诊断水平。 方法 搜集2017年1—12月在广州市胸科医院门诊及住院治疗并经临床确诊的25例并发支气管扩张的鸟-胞内分枝杆菌复合群肺病患者(简称“A组”)和26例并发支气管扩张的龟-脓肿分枝杆菌肺病患者(简称“B组”),两组患者均为初诊或未经抗结核和抗非结核分枝杆菌(NTM)治疗。对两组患者的CT扫描资料进行回顾性分析,主要就两组患者支气管扩张(CT分型、分布)、肺内病灶的形态(微结节、树芽征、结节、实变等)、伴发空洞(类型、分布)的CT征象特点及并发症发生情况进行对比分析。 结果 B组左肺下叶支气管扩张、左肺下叶微结节、肺体积收缩的比率分别为57.69%(15/26)、84.62%(22/26)、61.54%(16/26),均明显高于A组[分别为28.00%(7/25)、56.00%(14/25)、32.00%(8/25)],差异均有统计学意义(χ ²值分别为4.58、5.03、4.46,P值分别为0.032、0.025、0.035)。A组柱状型支气管扩张占52.00%(13/25),高于B组(15.38%,4/26);B组囊状型支气管扩张占50.00%(13/26),高于A组(16.00%,4/25),差异均有统计学意义(χ ²值分别为7.69、6.63,P值分别为0.006、0.010)。结论 龟-脓肿分枝杆菌肺病患者的CT表现中,左肺下叶支气管扩张、左肺下叶微结节、肺体积收缩的发生率高于MAC肺病患者;龟-脓肿分枝杆菌肺病多并发囊状型支气管扩张,而MAC肺病多并发柱状型支气管扩张,以上特征性CT征象有助于两种疾病的鉴别。     

外科手术在非结核分枝杆菌肺病治疗中的作用探讨

目的 探讨外科手术治疗非结核分枝杆菌(NTM)肺病患者中的作用与疗效。方法 收集2009年1月至2017年12月广州市胸科医院收治的24例NTM肺病患者作为研究对象。其中,男9例,女15例;年龄范围20~73岁,年龄中位数(四分位数)为44.50(30.75,55.00)岁;NTM肺病病程0~6年,病程中位数(四分位数)为1.0(0.5,3.8)年。回顾性分析研究对象病历资料,包括基础疾病、发病特点、临床症状、分枝杆菌培养和菌种鉴定结果、胸部CT扫描结果、手术情况及治疗结果等。 结果 24例患者中鸟-胞内分枝杆菌(MAC)肺病患者11例(45.8%),龟-脓肿分枝杆菌肺病患者13例(54.2%)。患者术前接受了3~18个月的化疗,其中,痰菌阴转1例(4.2%),反复痰菌阳性未阴转者23例(95.8%);肺部病灶反复进展与好转交替/病灶恶化13例(54.2%),空洞增大或未愈且多伴有复合病变17例(70.8%),23例(95.8%)并存以右中叶、左上叶舌段囊、柱状支气管扩张;病灶分布侵犯肺叶1~6个不等,侵犯肺叶中位数(四分位数)为4.0(3.3,5.0)个。所有患者术中和术后均无死亡,其中,全肺切除1例(4.2%)、单肺叶切除术12例(50.0%)、复合肺叶切除11例(45.8%)。术后连续随访1年,19例患者治愈和治疗成功(79.2%);5例治疗失败(20.8%),该5例患者病变侵犯范围在5个或6个肺叶。手术并发症发生率为33.3%(8/24),包括手术残端肉芽组织增生、干酪样坏死2例;胸腔出血、感染5例、伤口愈合不良1例。20例切除病灶患者的分枝杆菌培养阳性14例,阴性6例,术后痰菌阴转并治愈分别为11例和6例,差异无统计学意义(χ ²=0.30,P=0.585)。MAC肺病和龟-脓肿分枝杆菌肺病患者手术治愈分别为9例和10例。结论 手术联合化疗治疗NTM肺病能够提高患者痰菌阴转率及治疗成功率。     

成人支气管扩张症病原菌分布及咯血原因分析

目的探讨成人支气管扩张症患者病原菌分布特征,及咯血与支气管扩张类型及部位之间的关系。方法回顾性分析2012年6月至2017年6月在我院呼吸内科确诊的196例支气管扩张症患者的临床表现、痰培养结果、影像学特征等资料。结果痰培养致病菌以G-菌为主(64.5%),真菌占29.0%,G-菌以铜绿假单胞菌最多见(65.0%);有并发症组致病菌检出率明显高于单纯组及有合并症组(P0.05);咯血的支气管扩张症患者胸部CT或HRCT支气管扩张形态学改变中,囊状型最为常见(71.6%),其次为混合型(19.8%);病变部位以多肺叶、两肺病变为主,以左下肺最为常见(63.0%),其次是右下肺(54.3%)。结论成人支气管扩张症患者痰培养致病菌以G-菌为主,铜绿假单胞菌最多见,但真菌不易忽视,应依据痰培养+药敏结果,有针对性选择抗菌药物治疗。囊状型支气管扩张患者可能更易出现咯血,其相对临床状况重,预后较差,需引起临床重视。     

老年变应性支气管肺曲霉菌病CT影像征象分析

目的分析老年变应性支气管肺曲霉菌病(allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, ABPA)CT影像征象,提高对老年ABPA的诊断水平。方法回顾性分析,经临床确诊的53例ABPA患者,分析31例老年ABPA患者的一般资料及CT影像特征;同时与中青年组ABPA患者进行对照分析,最终发现老年ABPA最具特征性的影像表现。结果 31例老年ABPA患者中,男19例(61.3%),发生在双肺上叶22例(71.0%),右肺下叶7例(22.6%);ABPA呈团块及结节状16例(51.6%),指套征7例(22.6%),牙膏状2例(6.5%);ABPA粘液栓呈中等密度16例(51.6%),高密度10例(32.3%);病灶远端支气管扩张9例(29.0%),病灶旁支气管扩张7例(22.6%);ABPA周围斑片影19例(61.3%),结节影及树芽征14例(45.2%),局限性肺气肿10例(32.3%),马赛克征7例(22.6%)。老年组与中青年组患者比较,ABPA呈团块及结节状、牙膏状、高密度粘液栓、病灶周围斑片影、病灶周围局限性肺气肿5项指标P0.05,差异有统计学意义。结论老年ABPA常发生在双肺上叶,病变呈团块及结节状、高密度粘液栓、病灶周围出现斑片影及局限性肺气肿是其典型的特征性表现。     

老年变应性鼻炎的临床特征及危险因素

目的 研究老年变应性鼻炎(AR)的临床特征及危险因素。方法 将2018年1月至2022年12月北京王府中西医结合医院诊治的236例AR患者纳为研究组,根据患者年龄,将其分为中青年组(年龄18~59岁,102例)及老年组(年龄≥60岁,134例);同时将医院同期接收的160例与老年组AR患者性别、年龄相似,但无变应性临床症状的老年志愿者作为对照组。首先比较中青年组及老年组AR患者的临床特征,再以对照组为参照,通过二元logistic回归模型分析影响老年AR发病的相关因素。采用SPSS 19.0软件进行数据分析。组间比较采用χ²检验。结果 不同年龄段AR患者性别比例及发病高峰期比较,差异均无统计学意义;老年AR患者变应原检出阳性率为32.09%(43/134),低于中青年组的68.63%(70/102),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。老年组患者AR分型多为间歇性(53.73%,72/134),严重程度多为轻度(63.43%,85/134);中青年组患者AR分型多为持续性(60.78%,62/102),轻度和中-重度严重程度各占50.00(51/102),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。老年AR患者伴随症状咽喉不适/咳嗽发生率为29.85%(40/134),低于中青年组的46.08%(47/102),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);其余伴随症状比较,差异无统计学意义。二元logistic回归分析提示,饲养宠物、职业接触粉尘、AR家族史以及哮喘史是影响老年AR发病的独立危险因素(OR=1.752、2.036、1.992、3.916;P<0.05)。结论 与中青年相比,老年AR患者变应原阳性率更低、临床表现及病情严重程度更轻,临床应注重老年AR的筛查及诊断,减少漏诊误诊率;此外,还应注重具有饲养宠物、职业性接触粉尘、AR家族史及哮喘史等AR危险因素且具备临床症状的老年人的AR筛查。     

广州地区非结核分枝杆菌肺病微生物及临床特征分析

目的分析广州地区不同非结核分枝杆菌(NTM)与其所致肺病的临床特征。 方法选择2016年1月至2020年12月广州地区的112例NTM肺病患者，分析NTM患者的症状、影像学特征及易感因素。 结果112例NTM肺病患者中，男性年龄>50岁占78.7%(48/61)，女性年龄>50岁占84.3%(43/51)，NTM感染与患者年龄高度相关(r＝0.16，P＝0.018)。胞内分枝杆菌80例(71.4%)。男性患者更易出现咳嗽症状(48/61)(χ²＝3.27，P＝0.03)，而女性患者更易出现咯血症状(14/51)(χ²＝5.39，P＝0.021)。年龄大的患者更易出现咯血(16/91)(r＝0.21，P＝0.015)，而年轻患者更易出现气短症状(10/21)(r＝0.17，P＝0.023)。NTM肺部疾病最常见的影像学特征是支气管扩张，占40.2%(45/112)，肺部结节占36.6%(41/112)，多发空洞38.4%(43/112)。NTM感染最常见的易患因素为MTB，占66.1%(74/112)；其次为支气管扩张占25.0%(28/112)，合并COPD占17.9%(20/112)。与女性患者相比，男性患者更易合并COPD(OR＝5.23，95%CI 5.20~72.60)；胞内分枝杆菌感染更易合并支气管扩张(OR＝0.13，95%CI 0.09~0.86)。 结论广州地区NTM感染最常见的病原体是胞内分枝杆菌。NTM感染与患者年龄相关，最常见的影像学表现是支气管扩张、结节影及多发性空洞。MTB感染及器官移植是NTM感染的高危因素。     

非结核分枝杆菌肺病37例误诊分析

目的 提高对非结核分枝杆菌(NTM)肺病的认识.方法 回顾性分析福州肺科医院于2008年1月至2011年10月确诊的NTM肺病37例的临床资料.结果 37例非结核分枝杆菌肺病均经菌型鉴定证实为NTM.误诊为肺结核20例(54.1％),支气管扩张或肺结核合并支气管扩张18例(48.6％),慢性支气管炎8例(21.6％),尘肺合并肺结核3例(8.1％),支气管哮喘、肺炎各2例.主要症状依次为咳嗽37例(100.0％)、咯痰34例(91.9％)、咯血30例(81.1％).X线胸片示两侧受累者31例(83.8％),单侧者6例(16.2％),有空洞12例(32.4％).治疗结果:目前治疗已满疗程的患者29例,痰菌转为阴性者24例(82.8％).结论 NTM肺病患者病程长,症状不特异,常易被误诊为肺结核和支气管扩张,抗结核治疗疗效差.     

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.