聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a治疗丙氨酸转氨酶异常但＜2倍正常值上限的HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者24周临床研究

目的 观察聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a(Peg-IFN α-2a)治疗ALT＜2倍正常值上限(ULN)且肝组织学炎症活动度(G)≥2的HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者的临床疗效.方法采用随机、开放、对照的研究方法,将55例ALT＜2×ULN且G≥2的HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者分为Peg-IFN α-2a治疗组27例和恩替卡韦对照组28例,接受48周治疗,数据行卡方检验和t检验.结果治疗24周时,Peg-IFN α-2a组有8例患者HBeAg被清除,占29.6%(χ2=9.71,P＜0.01),其中6例HBeAg血清转换,占22.2%(χ2=6.98,P＜0.01);2例HBsAg被清除,占7.4%.Peg-IFN α-2a组与恩替卡韦组HBeAg滴度分别下降(1179.8±582.6) PEIU/mL和(441.5±258.8) PEIU/mL(t=2.66,P=0.01).恩替卡韦组和Peg-IFN α-2a组分别与其基线相比,HBV DNA分别下降(4.520±0.694)lg拷贝/mL和(3.520±1.442)lg拷贝/mL(t=2.45,P=0.029).Peg-IFN α-2a组G3患者较G2患者有更高的HBeAg阴转率(χ2=4.23,P=0.041).结论治疗24周时,Peg-IFN α-2a在HBeAg阴转、HBeAg血清转换、HBeAg滴度下降较恩替卡韦有明显优势,恩替卡韦降低HBV DNA载量更为有效.在基线肝组织炎症活动度较高患者中,Peg-IFN α-2a可能有更高的HBeAg清除率.     

聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a联合阿德福韦酯治疗HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎的临床研究

目的 探讨聚乙二醇干扰素(Peg-IFN) α-2a联合阿德福韦酯(ADV)治疗HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎(CHB) 96周的疗效及安全性. 方法 25例初治HBeAg阴性CHB患者接受Peg-IFN α-2a(135μg/周或180μg/周)联合ADV (10 mg/d)治疗.96周治疗结束时,如获得HBsAg血清学转换则停药随访,否则停用Peg-IFN α-2a,继续ADV维持治疗.所有患者随访至120周.基线和治疗过程中每12周检测HBV DNA和HBsAg水平.计数资料采用x2检验或Fisher's exact test检验. 结果 Peg-IFNα-2a联合ADV治疗48周时,100％ (25/25)的患者HBV DNA低于检测值(＜ 500拷贝/ml),且在治疗过程中始终保持不可检测水平;治疗48周时HBsAg血清学转换率为12％ (3/25),96周上升至28％ (7/25).随访至120周,HBsAg血清学转换率为32％ (8/25).延长治疗至96周未见新的不良反应发生,其安全性同48周.结论 Peg-IFNα-2a联合ADV并延长疗程可显著提高HBeAg阴性CHB患者的抗病毒疗效,尤其可以提高HBsAg血清学转换率,是值得探索的优化治疗策略之一.     

恩替卡韦与阿德福韦治疗慢性乙型肝炎患者48周的临床疗效观察

目的 评估恩替卡韦与阿德福韦治疗慢性乙型肝炎患者48周的疗效和安全性. 方法 125例慢性乙型肝炎患者随机分为恩替卡韦治疗组(56例)和阿德福韦治疗组(69例),治疗0、24、48周时检测肝功能、HBV DNA水平、HBV血清学标志物,比较两组患者达到血清学应答的比例,比较不同基线HBV DNA水平患者治疗后HBV DNA下降值及低于检测值下限比例,分析两组药物复治患者的疗效差异,同时观察治疗过程中药物的安全性.计数资料采用x2检验,计量资料采用t检验.结果 治疗24周时,恩替卡韦组和阿德福韦组ALT复常率分别为71%和64%(x2=0.457,P＞0.05),HBV DNA低于检测值下限患者比例分别为68%和35%(x2=0.78,P＜0.05),HBeAg阳性患者中HBeAg阴转率分别为23%和7%(x2=3.89,P＜0.05),HBeAg学清学转换率分别为18%和7%(x2=2.07,P＞0.05).48周时,ALT复常率分别为100%和94%(x2=0.069,P＞0.05),HBV DNA低于检测下限患者比例分别为84%和49%(x2=0.78,P＜0.05),HBeAg阴转率分别为44%和15%(x2=8.18,P＜0.05),HBeAg血清学转换率分别为33%和12%(x2=5.12,P＜0.05).恩替卡韦复治患者与阿德福韦复制患者相比,48周时HBV DNA达到检测下限的比例分别为79%和34%(x2=7.67,P＜0.05),HBeAg阴转率分别为42%和17%(x2=3.59,P＞0.05),HBeAg血清学转换率分别为26%和17%(x2=0.15,P＞0.05).结论 恩替卡韦治疗慢性乙型肝炎的病毒学和生物化学疗效均优于阿德福韦,是理想的一线抗病毒治疗药物.     

聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a个体化治疗慢性乙型肝炎患者的临床疗效

目的 探讨聚乙二醇干扰素(Peg-IFN) α-2a个体化治疗慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者的临床疗效。方法 对92例慢性乙型肝炎患者给予Peg-IFN α-2a 180μg每周1次皮下注射。将12周HBV DNA仍为阳性的患者分为延长疗程(72周)组、联合核苷（酸）类似物（恩替卡韦或阿德福韦酯）组及常规治疗(48周)组。在治疗前、个体化治疗后12、24、36周以及停药后随访24周分别检测HBV基因型(PCR微板核酸杂交酶联免疫法)、HBV DNA载量（实时荧光定量PCR法）、HBsAg定量(ElecsysⅡ检测系统),观察并比较各组患者病毒学应答及HBsAg水平下降情况,并分析影响疗效的因素。各组数据间比较采用t检验或X2检验,影响因素采用logistic回归法分析。结果 延长疗程组的持久病毒学应答(SVR)率(78.3％,18/23)明显高于常规治疗组(38.1％,8/21),x 2=7.33,P＜0.05 ;随访24周时的HBsAg水平平均下降幅度[（0.7±0.6）log10 IU/ml]也高于常规治疗组[(0.4±0.3) log10 IU/ml,t=2.11,P＜0.05]。联合恩替卡韦及阿德福韦酯组随访至24周时HBV DNA水平平均下降幅度分别达到（3.9±1.1）log10拷贝/ml及(3.7±1.3) log10拷贝/ml,明显大于常规治疗组（t值分别为8.45和6.31,P值均＜0.05）,且该两组SVR率分别达到83.3％(15/18)及85.7％(12/14),也明显高于常规治疗组（X2值分别为8.20和7.78,P值均＜0.05）;HBsAg水平平均下降幅度分别为(0.8±0.5) log10IU/ml和(0.9±0.3) log10 IU/ml,均明显高于常规治疗组[(0.4±0.3) log10 IU/ml,t值分别为3.05和4.58,P值均＜0.05]。Logitic回归分析显示HBV DNA载量和C基因型是影响病毒学应答的主要因素。结论 Peg-IFNα-2a抗病毒治疗早期应答不佳的患者可通过延长疗程至72周或联合恩替卡韦、阿德福韦酯等核苷（酸）类似物进行个体化治疗,可明显提高SVR率并降低HBsAg水平。     

替比夫定与恩替卡韦治疗e抗原阳性慢性乙型肝炎的近期疗效比较

目的 观察替比夫定与恩替卡韦治疗HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者近期疗效及安全性. 方法 80例患者随机分为替比夫定治疗组和恩替卡韦治疗组,分别在治疗前,治疗第12周和24周检测患者血清HBV DNA水平、ALT复常率、HBeAg阴转率和HBeAg/抗-HBe转换率,并比较不同基线血清HBV DNA水平患者治疗12周和24周时的血清HBV DNA下降值,HBV DNA低于检测值率,HBV DNA＜104拷贝/ml患者的比例.观察治疗过程中药物使用的安全性.结果 替比夫定和恩替卡韦组患者的基础人口学、临床和病毒学特征均具有可比性.治疗12周时,替比夫定组和恩替卡韦组患者HBV DNA低于检测值率均为50.0%,ALT复常率分别为52.5%和60.0%(P＞0.05),HBeAg阴转率分别为30.0%和5.0%(P＜0.01),HBeAg血清学转换率分别为20.0%和5.0%(P＜0.05);在治疗24周时,两组HBV DNA低于检测值率分别为80%和70%,(P＞0.05),ALT复常率分别为77.5%和75.0%(P＞0.05),HBeAg阴转率分别为45.0%和32.5%(P＞0.05),HBeAg血清学转换率分别为27.5%和17.5%(P＞0.05),两组均未发现明显不良反应.结论 替比夫定与恩替卡韦治疗HBeAg阳性的慢性乙型肝炎的近期HBV DNA水平低于检测值率,ALT复常率无明显差异;12周时替比夫定HBeAg血清学转换率高于思替卡韦组,但24周时两组间差异无统计学意义.     

HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者恩替卡韦经治后联合应用长效干扰素的疗效研究

目的:探讨HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者恩替卡韦经治后,联合聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a治疗的疗效及安全性。方法:将恩替卡韦治疗至少1年且HBV DNA阴转的HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者分为两组,联合组患者予以恩替卡韦联合聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a治疗48周或延长至72周,恩替卡韦组患者予以续恩替卡韦治疗,观察至96周。结果:共纳入34例患者,两组各17例;联合组中1例退出研究,6例干扰素延长至72周;恩替卡韦组均治疗及观察至96周。联合组患者HBsAg清除率:48周1/16(6.25%),72周2/16(12.50%),96周3/16(18.75%); HBsAg血清学转换率:48周0/17(0), 72周2/16(12.50%),96周2/16(12.50%)。恩替卡韦组24、48、72周时HBsAg清除率、HBsAg血清学转换率均为0。24、48、72、96周时联合组低HBsAg患者的比率均较高,HBsAg下降比率分别为59.22%、85.38%、76.11%、66.56%。联合组进一步分析示基线HBsAg1 500 IU/ml患者HBsAg下降比率均较高。联合组患者出现更多不良反应,但较轻。结论:恩替卡韦经治HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者,可考虑联合长效干扰素治疗以期降低HBsAg水平,有助达到临床治愈目标,基线HBsAg水平较低的患者属于优势人群,疗程中根据应答结果调整方案,有助提高疗效。     

慢性乙型肝炎患者HBeAg水平与恩替卡韦长期疗效的相关性

目的 了解慢性乙型肝炎患者HBeAg水平与恩替卡韦长期治疗效果的关系.方法 根据治疗前HBeAg水平,将59例慢性乙型肝炎患者分为3组:A组19例,HBeAg≥1000 s/co;B组20例,HBeAg为100～999 s/co;C组20例,HBeAg＜ 100 s/co.回顾性分析接受恩替卡韦治疗前HBeAg水平、治疗24周后HBeAg变化及其与144周疗效的关系.应用x2检验进行数据分析.结果 3组患者治疗前年龄、ALT水平的差异无统计学意义,而HBV DNA水平与HBeAg水平相关.59例患者治疗144周时ALT复常者58例(98.3％),HBV DNA水平达到检测限以下者56例(94.9％),HBeAg转阴30例(50.8％),HBeAg血清学转换26例(44.1％).3组患者ALT复常及HBV DNA转阴率的差异无统计学意义(x2=2.4146,P=0.3427;x2=2.2375,P=0.3267),而HBeAg转阴及血清学转换率的差异有统计学意义(x2=7.6484,P=0.0218;x2=7.6455,P=0.0219).C组患者治疗144周时HBeAg转阴率为70.0％,血清学转换率为65.0％,高于B组的55.0％和45.0％,以及A组的26.3％和21.0％.治疗24周时HBeAg 下降＞1 lg s/co的33例患者,144周时HBeAg血清学转换高达22例(66.7％),而其他26例患者仅有4例(15.4％)出现HBeAg血清学转换(P＜0.01).实现HBeAg血清学转换的26例患者中已经有20例停药,其中3例HBsAg清除.结论 HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者治疗前HBeAg的水平,特别是治疗24周时HBeAg下降＞1 lg s/co者,对于恩替卡韦治疗144周的疗效,特别是HBeAg血清转换率具有重要的预测价值.     

血清HBsAg水平预测聚乙二醇干扰素治疗HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎复发

目的 探讨停药时HBsAg定量水平高低对HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎聚乙二醇干扰素(Peg-IFNα-2a)治疗后病毒学反弹的预测价值.方法 随机筛选50例HBeAg阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者,平均年龄34.5岁,男27例,女23例.患者均经Peg-IFNα-2a(180μg/周)治疗1年,达到HBV DNA＜ 5.00×102拷贝/毫升,ALT正常,符合停药指针后停用干扰素治疗.然后根据停药时HBsAg定量水平分成两组:1组(HBsAg定量＜500IU/ml)27例和2组(HBsAg定量≥500IU/ml)23例.分别在停药后12、24、36、48周时,同时检测血清HBV DNA,HBsAg定量及ALT水平.采用SPSS10.0软件进行统计学处理,采用t检验和x2检验.结果 ①停药后12周时,两组患者均无复发者.②停药后24、36、48周时.1组27例患者中,HBV DNA反弹的分别为2、1例和0例,共3例,总复发率为3/27(11.1％);2组23例患者中,HBV DNA反弹的分别为8、5例和2例,共15例,总复发率15/23 (65.2％);1组患者的复发率显著低于2组患者,P值均＜0.05.③对于HBV DNA再次升高的患者,重新给予Peg-IFN α-2a(180μg/周)治疗1年,1组3例复发患者的HBV DNA均再次转阴,2组15例复发患者中,HBV DNA再次阴转的只有4例,阴转率26.7％(4/15).复发后干扰素再治疗有效率1组患者显著高于2组患者,P＜0.05.结论 HBsAg定量水平可以很好的预测HBeAg阴性的慢性乙型肝炎患者聚乙二醇干扰素治疗停药后的复发率和再治疗的有效率.治疗结束时HB-sAg定量水平越低,停药后复发率越低;复发后再次使用Peg-IFNα-2a治疗的有效率越高.     

恩替卡韦联合聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a治疗难治性慢性乙型肝炎HBeAg血清学转换疗效观察

目的临床观察经恩替卡韦治疗1年至4年后e抗原仍为阳性的难治性慢性乙型肝炎的患者,应用恩替卡韦联合聚乙二醇干扰素(PegIFN)α-2a治疗的疗效和安全性。方法将60例患者分为试验组和对照组,试验组在恩替卡韦治疗的基础上加用PegIFNα-2a抗病毒治疗,对照组继续恩替卡韦抗病毒治疗,分别在12周、24周、48周定量检测两组患者肝功能、HBsAg、HBeAg及HBeAb等变化。结果(PegIFN)α-2a联合恩替卡韦治疗24周时HBeAg血清学转换率为26.7%,48周上升至36.7%,明显高于对照组(P0.05),且HBsAg水平持续下降,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论恩替卡韦抗病毒治疗后e抗原仍为阳性的慢性乙型肝炎患者,加用聚乙二醇干扰素继续抗病毒治疗,可提高HBeAg血清学转换率,缩短疗程,为最终停药可能提供相关依据。     

不同策略治疗rtN236T位点变异的HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎的疗效观察

目的 观察rtN236T位点变异的阿德福韦酯(ADV)耐药HBeAg阳性的慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)患者,ADV分别联合聚乙二醇干扰素(Peg-IFN) α-2a及拉米夫定(LAM)进行治疗的疗效及安全性,并分析影响疗效的因素.方法 收集rtN236T位点变异的ADV耐药HBeAg阳性CHB患者65例,随机分为A组(33例)和B组(32例),A组ADV联合Peg-IFN α-2a治疗,连续48周后停用.B组ADV联合LAM治疗,连续48周后,继续使用24周.在治疗前、治疗后24、48周及随访24周,比较两组HBV DNA载量下降≥2log10拷贝/ml和HBV DNA≤500拷贝/ml患者数及HBeAg阴转率、HBeAg血清学转换率、ALT复常率.比较两组行肝穿刺活组织检查患者治疗前后的肝脏炎症分级、纤维化分期及肝组织学活动指数(HAI)评分.根据数据类型用t检验或x2检验进行统计分析.结果 治疗后24、48周及随访24周时,HBV DNA载量下降≥2log10拷贝/ml的患者,A组分别为81.8％、90.9％、75.8％,B组分别为53.1％、56.2％、59.4％;HBV DNA≤500拷贝/ml的患者,A组分别为48.5％、60.6％、42.4％,B组分别为31.3％、34.4％、31.3％;HBeAg阴转率,A组分别为39.4％、60.6％、54.5％,B组分别为12.5％、37.5％、37.5％;HBeAg血清学转换率,A组分别为27.3％、54.5％、48.5％,B组分别为6.3％、15.6％、18.8％;ALT复常率,A组分别为72.7％、84.8％、78.8％,B组分别为46.9％、56.3％、46.9％;A组均明显高于B组,差异有统计学意义(P值均＜0.05).治疗48周后,A组的肝组织HAI积分、炎症分级及纤维化分期改善情况均明显优于B组(P值均＜ 0.05).除肌酐升高发生率差异无统计学意义外,A组的不良反应发生率均高于B组(P值均＜ 0.05),但未发生终止治疗或危及患者安全的不良反应.A组停药随访24周,5例患者HBVDNA升高≥2log10拷贝/ml,其中4例治疗期间HBV DNA≤500拷贝/ml,此4例患者均发生ALT升高,且均未发生HBeAg血清学转换.结论 rtN236T位点变异的ADV耐药HBeAg阳性CHB患者,ADV联合Peg-IFN α-2a的疗效优于联合LAM,但不良反应发生率更高;未发生HBeAg血清学转换的患者,停药后易出现病毒反跳及ALT升高.     

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.