异丙酚静脉复合麻醉在老年人胃肠镜联合检查中的应用

目的 评价异丙酚合并芬太尼静脉麻醉在老年患者胃肠镜联合检查中的效果及安全性.方法 回顾分析326例采用静脉麻醉下胃肠镜联合检查(联合检查组)老年患者的临床资料,与同期接受静脉麻醉下胃镜(胃镜组)或结肠镜检查(结肠镜组)的老年患者进行对照,比较各组血压、心率、血氧饱和度(SpO2)变化情况以及不良反应发生情况.结果 异丙酚平均用量分别为联合检查组(100.4±38.5)mg、胃镜组(130.4±50.5)mg、结肠镜组(170.3±60.3)mg,所有患者均能达到胃肠镜检查的满意镇静程度,无因麻醉并发症终止胃肠镜检查者;心率、血压变化及心血管事件发生率各组间比较,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);呼吸事件发生率分别为9例(3.1％)、6例(2.3％)和13例(4.0％),差异亦无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 在严格控制适应证、术中严密监测的条件下,应用异丙酚静脉复合麻醉对于老年患者胃肠镜联合检查是安全、有效的.     

70岁以上老年患者静脉麻醉下胃肠镜检查的安全性

目的评价芬太尼和异丙酚静脉麻醉在≥70岁老年患者胃肠镜检查中的安全性。方法回顾分析826例采用静脉麻醉下胃肠镜检查且年龄≥70岁老年患者的临床资料,按年龄分成2组：A组,70～80岁,618例,其中接受胃镜检查者342例,肠镜检查者276例;13组,〉80岁,208例,其中接受胃镜检查者112例,肠镜检查者96例。另随机抽取同期接受静脉麻醉下胃肠镜检查的年龄〈70岁的患者600例（胃镜检查者400例,肠镜检查者200例）作对照。总结分析胃肠镜检查情况,比较相同检查方式下各组血压、心率、血氧饱和度（SpO2）变化情况以及不良反应发生情况。结果所有接受静脉麻醉患者均未发生胃肠镜检查穿孔及死亡等严重事件,亦无一例因麻醉并发症终止胃肠镜检查,均能达到胃肠镜检查的满意镇静程度。对应检查方式下,随年龄增加异丙酚用量均减小：胃镜检查时,异丙酚平均剂量A组为（54．22±21．36）mg,B组为（40．22±12．46）mg,对照组为（86．44±34．26）mg;肠镜检查时,A组为（82．56±40．64）mg,B组为（45．36±15．44）mg,对照组为（102．23±46．32）mg。相同检查方式下各组心率、血压变化程度不大,组内前后两观察时点比较差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;但静脉麻醉对老年患者SpO2影响较大,A组和B组共18例出现SpO2〈90％,主要为唾液误吸入气管引起呛咳所致,予面罩呼吸气囊加压吸氧后短期内恢复。结论在严格控制适应证的条件下,适当剂量麻醉药静脉麻醉下老年患者胃肠镜检查是安全的、可行的。     

笑气清醒镇静镇痛与丙泊酚静脉麻醉用于胃镜检查的临床价值比较研究

目的研究笑气化状态的诱导过程并比较笑气清醒镇静镇痛与丙泊酚静脉麻醉用于胃镜检查的安全性及有效性。方法选择2013年4月至2013年10月行胃镜检查患者400例,随机分为笑气组200例和丙泊酚组200例,记录笑气组达到笑气化状态的时间及浓度,2组患者检查前、中、后的收缩压、舒张压、心率、血氧饱和度,及药物起效时间、胃镜操作时间、镇静效果、恢复时间、留院时间、不良反应。检查结束后医生与患者填写调查问卷。结果笑气组达到笑气化状态的平均时间为（3．16±0．65）min,男性与女性无明显差异[（3．16±0．71）比（3．16±0．58）min,t=0．006,P〉0．05）;达到笑气化状态的平均笑气浓度为（43．68±5．05）％,男性明显高于女性[（45．30±4．99）％比（41．46±4．30）％,t=3．042,P〈0．05]。与检查前比较,丙泊酚组检查中的收缩压、舒张压、心率、血氧饱和度均明显降低（P〈0．05）,而笑气组检查中的收缩压、舒张压、心率均明显升高（P〈0．05）。丙泊酚组的起效时间及操作时间比笑气组短（P〈0．05）,镇静效果比笑气组更深（P〈0．05）,但笑气组的恢复时间、留院时间均比丙泊酚组明显减少（P〈0．05）。检查中丙泊酚组部分患者出现低氧血症、低血压、心率过缓等不良反应,而笑气组主要不良反应为恶心、干呕等咽部刺激反应。调查问卷结果显示：笑气组的医师满意度、患者满意度、患者愿意再次接受检查的比例均低于丙泊酚组（86±3．7比96±2．6,87±2．8比98±1．2,87％比99％,P〈0．05）。结论笑气清醒镇静镇痛及丙泊酚静脉麻醉用于胃镜检查均是有效的,但前者对心肺功能影响更小更安全。准确识别笑气化状态是笑气清醒镇静镇痛成功实施的关键。重视影响笑气清醒镇静镇痛技术安全性及有效性的9个因素,对于优?     

中药白头翁汤加减治疗未定型肠炎50例临床疗效观察

[目的]观察并比较中药白头翁汤加减保留灌肠治疗未定型肠炎的临床疗效。[方法]将符合诊断的100名患者按入院顺序简单随机分为治疗组(中药保留灌肠组)与对照组(纳肛组),每组各50例,保留灌肠组采用白头翁汤加减方药液保留灌肠,纳肛组采用柳氮磺吡啶栓纳肛。观察并比较2组患者治疗前与治疗后的肠镜评分及疾病指数评分。[结果]中药保留灌肠组患者治疗前与治疗后的肠镜评分分别为(0.72±0.61)分、(0.48±0.54)分,疾病指数评分分别为(4.42±1.09)分、(2.46±1.39)分;纳肛组治疗前与治疗后的肠镜评分分别为(0.74±0.63)分、(0.58±0.61)分,疾病指数分别为(4.34±1.19)分、(3.24±1.48)分。对照组患者治疗前与治疗后比较,肠镜评分差异无统计学意义(P0.05),疾病指数评分差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗组治疗前与治疗后比较,肠镜评分与疾病指数评分差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);比较2组患者治疗后的观察指标,肠镜评分差异无统计学意义(P0.05),疾病指数评分差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。[结论]在改善对照组患者肠镜表现方面疗效欠佳;使用中药白头翁汤加减治疗未定型肠炎在改善患者病情、缓解临床症状、提高生活质量方面疗效明显优于柳氮磺吡啶,但两种治疗方法在针对患者肠镜表现方面疗效无差别。     

护理干预对高龄冠心病患者胃肠镜检查的影响

目的:探讨护理干预措施对高龄冠心病患者胃肠镜检查的影响,为冠心病患者胃肠镜检查提供更好的护理指导.方法:选取浙江医院2013-06/2015-06高龄冠心病胃肠镜检查患者110例作为研究对象,将其按照随机数字表法进行分组,干预组与常规组,各55例.常规组按照常规胃肠镜检查的护理流程护理,干预组给予胃肠镜检查全程干预的措施护理,观察两组的护理效果.结果:干预组与常规组的检查操作时间、临床护理满意度评分比较差异有统计学意义(22.7 min±6.3 min vs 33.8 min±7.1 min,92.5分±4.7分vs 77.9分±5.2分,P0.05);护理干预后干预组与常规组患者的SAS评分、SDS评分比较差异有统计学意义(23.6分±4.2分vs 36.2分±5.1分,22.1分±3.7分vs 37.2分±3.3分,P0.05);干预组与常规组患者检查中并发症发生率比较,差异有统计学意义(7.3%vs 20.0%,P0.05).结论:临床中对于高龄冠心病患者胃肠镜检查的过程中实施全程干预措施是可行的,能够缩短检查时间,缓解患者的心理压力,降低并发症,提高临床护理满意度.     

无痛胃肠镜诊疗术的临床应用效果及安全性分析

[目的]分析无痛胃肠镜诊疗术的临床应用效果及安全性。[方法]选取需作胃肠镜检查的患者100例,随机分为观察组和对照组,每组各50例。观察组采用无痛胃肠镜诊疗术,在进行胃肠镜检查和治疗前,给予患者麻醉镇痛;对照组患者直接进行胃肠镜检查和治疗。观察2组患者整个手术过程中的心率(HR)、血氧饱和度(SpO2)、血压(BP)等生命指征,并比较2组患者术后的疗效。[结果]观察组患者在胃肠镜诊治疗前后HR、SpO2及BP变化较为平稳,组内比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05);对照组患者在胃肠镜诊治前后HR、BP变化波动幅度较大,但SpO2的变化较平稳,组内比较差异显著(P0.05)。观察组患者治疗后总有效率为98%,明显高于对照组76%;观察组患者胃肠镜诊治前非常紧张人数所占比例12%,明显低于对照组,观察组患者心理状态优于对照组;观察组患者在胃肠镜诊疗过程中出现的咽喉反射、不良反应的发生率均明显低于对照组,且患者对胃肠镜操作的满意度为94%,明显高于对照组(60%),P0.05。[结论]无痛胃肠镜诊疗术与常规胃肠镜相比,具有适应性好、减轻患者疼痛、不良反应少等优点,检查过程中对患者HR、SpO2、BP等无明显影响,安全性高,且患者对操作的满意度高,值得在临床上广泛应用。但其价格昂贵,在临床上普及还具有一定局限性。     

利多卡因雾化吸入联合异丙酚在小儿纤维支气管镜检查中的作用

目的探讨利多卡因雾化吸入复合异丙酚在小儿纤维支气管镜(纤支镜)检查中的作用。方法本研究为病例对照研究。采用非随机抽样的方法选取2019年4月至2020年4月行纤支镜检查的小儿84例, 采用随机数字表法分为对照组(42例)和研究组(42例)。对照组予以异丙酚静脉麻醉, 研究组予以利多卡因超声雾化吸入复合异丙酚静脉麻醉。对比2组小儿纤支镜检查基础情况(包括时间、一次检查成功率和呛咳情况)、麻醉效果;对比2组纤支镜检查前(T1)、检查即刻(T2)、检查后1 min(T3)、检查后5 min(T4)和检查结束即刻(T5)的血流动力学指标(包括心率、平均动脉压、脉搏氧饱和度);对比2组不良反应发生率。结果研究组检查时间和呛咳评分均低于对照组[(15.14±2.03) min比(18.26±2.65)min, (2.13±0.33)分比(2.86±0.47)分, t值分别为6.06、8.24, P值均<0.001], 2组一次检查成功率比较差异无统计学意义[100.00%(42/42)比97.62%(41/42), χ2=1.01, P=0.314]。研究组各时间点的心率和平均动脉压基本平稳...     

笑气镇静下经鼻胃镜用于静脉麻醉高风险人群的随机对照研究

目的探讨笑气镇静下经鼻胃镜检查用于丙泊酚静脉麻醉高风险人群的安全性和有效性。方法应用随机数字表将157例患者分为笑气组80例和纯氧组77例,分别进行笑气镇静下经鼻胃镜检查和纯氧吸入下经鼻胃镜检查,检测仪监测2组患者心率、脉搏血氧饱和度、血压、心电图变化情况,记录并发症发生情况,术后填写患者和内镜医生有效性调查问卷,调查问卷内容包括内镜医生对操作过程的评价,分为平稳、一般、不平稳;患者感到操作过程的不适,分为轻微、中等、严重;患者对检查过程的耐受性,分为好、中等、差;患者是否愿意再次进行同样的操作,分为是、否,并在视觉模拟评分（VAS评分）量表上标记医生和患者对检查过程的满意程度。对所得数据进行统计分析,比较2组间的差异。结果157例患者中有6例未能完成经鼻胃镜检查而剔除出研究（5例鼻腔通过困难和1例有少量鼻出血,其中笑气组2例,纯氧组4例）,最终151例完成了经鼻胃镜检查,并于术后完成相关调查问卷。笑气组男37例、女41例,年龄16～88岁,平均67．7岁,ASA1级7例,2级61例,3级11例;纯氧组男36例、女37例,年龄17—86岁,平均67．9岁,ASA1级6例,2级57例,3级9例。2组性别构成、平均年龄、ASA分级状况相似（P〉0．05）,具有可比性。笑气组检查时间124～316S,平均200．1s;纯氧组检查时间120～322s,平均200．5s。2组检查时间比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。2组患者检查过程中脉搏血氧饱和度、血压、心电图变化以及并发症发生率比较,差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）,笑气组医生评价操作过程平稳的比例、患者感到操作过程轻微不适的比例、患者检查过程耐受性好的比例均明显高于纯氧组（P〈0．05）,医生评价操作过程不平稳的比例、患者感到操作过程严重不适的比例、患者检查过程耐受性差的比例明显低于纯氧组（P〈0．05）。笑气组医生满意度VAS评分84分,明显高于纯氧组的70分（t=14．67,P〈0．05）;患者满意度VAS评分82分明显高于纯氧组的71分（t=11．56,P〈0．05）;笑气组89．7％（70／78）的患者愿意再次接受相同检查明显高于纯氧组的69．9％（51／73）（P〈0．05）。结论笑气镇静下经鼻胃镜检查对于丙泊酚静脉麻醉高风险人群是安全和有效的。     

对比笑气清醒镇静镇痛技术与丙泊酚静脉麻醉用于胃镜检查安全性及有效性分析

目的探讨笑气清醒镇静镇痛技术和丙泊酚静脉麻醉技术在胃镜检查中的安全性及有效性,对比两者在胃镜检查中的镇静镇痛效果以及诊疗后的不良反应的发生率,研究在胃镜检查中,笑气清醒镇静镇痛技术和丙泊酚静脉麻醉技术的临床价值.方法选取2015-09/2016-05我院接收的400例要求接受无痛胃镜检查的患者作为研究对象,入选的患者符合ASA分级标准中第一级和第二级,患者接受麻醉以及接受手术的耐受能力较好.随机将400例患者分为丙泊酚组200例和笑气组200例,丙泊酚组接受胃镜检查时给予丙泊酚静脉麻醉,笑气组采取笑气清醒镇静镇痛技术.观察和记录患者的心率、血压和脉搏血氧饱和度,研究分析笑气和丙泊酚的镇静镇痛麻醉效果.结果丙泊酚组患者在胃镜检查前和检查后的心率、血压和脉搏血氧饱和度均比胃镜检查中的含量偏高,且差异具有统计学意义(P0.05).笑气组患者的心率、血压和脉搏血氧饱和度在检查中比检查前稍有增高,且差异具有统计学意义(P0.05).统计结果显示,丙泊酚静脉麻醉在胃镜检查过程中对于患者的心肺具有显著的抑制作用,笑气对于患者的心肺功能没有显著的抑制作用.笑气组的不良反应以是恶心干呕为主占13%,而心率过缓、低血压、低氧血症等症状所占的比率明显低于丙泊酚组,且差异具有统计学意义(P0.05).笑气组患者的操作时间明显比丙泊酚组患者较长,且药物的起效时间笑气组明显比丙泊酚组较长,但差异具有统计学意义(P0.05).但丙泊酚组的恢复时间以及患者的留院时间明显比笑气组的留院时间和恢复时间显著较多,经统计结果分析丙泊酚静脉麻醉的镇静起效时间要比笑气清醒镇静镇痛技术的起效时间更长,且差异具有统计学意义(P0.05).结论笑气清醒镇静镇痛技术能够快速有效的发挥镇静镇痛的效果,但是不会引起患者的深度和长时间的麻醉,能够有效地缩短患者的恢复时间.笑气清醒镇静镇痛技术和丙泊酚静脉用于胃镜无痛检查是安全有效的,相比于丙泊酚静脉注射镇静作用,笑气清醒镇静镇痛技术的安全性更好.     

组合灌肠后急诊肠镜检查在高龄肠梗阻患者中的应用

[目的]探讨组合灌肠法(即清洁灌肠+电脑灌肠仪灌肠)在高龄肠梗阻患者急诊结肠镜检查中应用的可行性及效果。[方法]回顾性分析采用组合灌肠法后行急诊肠镜检查77例患者的资料,收集病因确诊率、肠腔清洁度、检查时间、并发症等数据,并对操作方法进行总结。[结果]所有患者均在入院后24～72h内完成急诊肠镜检查。75例顺利完成检查并取得病理结果,对结肠梗阻患者病因的确诊率为96.1%。肠道清洁度评分:盲肠及升结肠(2.23±0.81)分,横结肠及降结肠(1.64±0.65)分,乙状结肠及直肠(1.02±0.72)分。平均检查时间(11.3±3.8)min。12例在检查后结肠梗阻解除,8例肠镜检查后放置结肠金属支架。并发症发生率为6.5%。平均住院时间(8.5±1.7)d。[结论]高龄肠梗阻患者采用组合灌肠法后行急诊肠镜检查,安全可靠,对结肠肠梗阻病因确诊率高,值得临床推广应用。     

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.