APRI、FIB-4联合对慢性乙型肝炎患者显著肝纤维化的诊断价值

背景:APRI、FIB-4诊断慢性乙型肝炎患者肝纤维化程度的准确性不高,尤其是对显著肝纤维化(F≥2)。无创肝纤维化模型联合诊断已成目前研究的热点,但APRI联合FIB-4的诊断价值尚不明确。目的:探讨APRI、FIB-4联合对慢性乙型肝炎患者显著肝纤维化的诊断价值。方法:选取2011年1月—2016年10月新疆军区总医院171例慢性乙型肝炎患者,检测肝生化、血常规,行肝穿刺活检。计算APRI、FIB-4,绘制ROC曲线,确定APRI、FIB-4诊断显著肝纤维化的临界值,建立APRI和FIB-4联合诊断的模式。结果:随着肝纤维化程度的加重,APRI、FIB-4逐步升高,组间相比差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。APRI和FIB-4的ROC曲线下面积(AUC)分别为0.812、0.770。FIB-4诊断显著肝纤维化的敏感性优于APRI。APRI联合FIB-4诊断显著肝纤维化的敏感性、特异性、阴性预测值、阳性预测值和准确性均优于两者单独使用,且模式二的诊断特异性、准确性优于模式一。结论:APRI、FIB-4联合可提高显著肝纤维化的诊断准确性。     

APRI和Forns指数对慢乙肝肝纤维化的诊断价值

目的 验证APRI和Forns指数对诊断慢乙肝肝纤维化的临床价值.方法 172例慢性乙肝患者均接受肝组织病理检查,并同时检测肝功能、血常规和血脂,用ROC曲线评价APRI和Forns指数诊断慢乙肝肝纤维化的能力.结果 肝纤维化分期与APRI/Forns指数的相关系数分别是0.312和0.315(P<0.01);肝纤维化S4的APRI和Forns指数均高于S0/S1/S2/S3(P<0.05);ROC曲线分析显示APRI和Forns指数诊断显著肝纤维化(S2-S4)的AUC均小于0.7,诊断s4的AUC均大于0.7;APRI诊断S4的敏感性(SN)80%、特异性(SP)74%、阳性预测值(PPV)34.5%和阴性预测值(NPV)95.6%;Forns指数诊断S4的SN92%、SP63%、PPV29.9%和NPV97.9%.结论 APRI和Forns指数与肝纤维化分期均有一定的相关性,可以用于肝纤维化S4的诊断,但对肝纤维化S1、S2和S3的区分能力有限.     

无创诊断模式预测慢性乙型肝炎合并非酒精性脂肪肝患者肝纤维化的价值

目的探讨GGT/PLT比值(GPR)、FIB-4和APRI预测慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)合并非酒精性脂肪肝(NAFLD)患者肝纤维化分期的价值。方法选取广州市第八人民医院2012年1月至2016年12月肝组织活检诊断为CHB合并NAFLD患者122例。分析GPR、FIB-4和APRI预测肝纤维化分期的价值。相关性分析采用Spearman’s相关系数,受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线预测肝纤维化分期。结果肝组织病理活检作为金标准,F1、F2、F3和F4各纳入33例、50例、28例和11例患者。GPR、FIB-4和APRI与肝纤维化呈正相关,相关系数分别为0.220、0.326、0.284(P0.05)。GPR、FIB-4和APRI均不能预测CHB合并NAFLD明显肝纤维化(F2)。GPR预测进展期肝纤维化(F3)的ROC曲线下面积(AUC)是0.725(0.637～0.802),cut-off值是0.380,灵敏度64.1%,特异度79.5%,准确率73.8%,阳性预测值和阴性预测值分别为59.5%和82.5%; FIB-4和APRI预测进展期肝纤维化(F3)AUC分别为0.748(0.661～0.822)和0.745(0.658～0.819),与GPR无显著相关性(P0.05)。结论 GPR、FIB-4和APRI预测CHB合并NAFLD进展期肝纤维化(F3)具有中等预测价值,但对明显肝纤维化(F2)无预测价值,合并脂肪肝可能影响血清学无创诊断预测肝纤维化的价值。     

联合应用慢性乙型肝炎肝纤维化非创伤性诊断模型与血清透明质酸的诊断价值

背景：肝活检组织病理学检查是肝纤维化诊断的金标准,但其临床应用有一定局限性。目的：联合应用慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）肝纤维化非创伤性诊断模型Fibromodel与血清肝纤维化指标透明质酸（HA）,评价其诊断价值。方法：选取130例CHB患者,行肝活检病理分期,以≥S2为显著肝纤维化的分界点,以S4为早期肝硬化的分界点;同时检测相关实验室指标。以接受者操作特征（ROC）曲线分析Fibromodel和血清HA的诊断价值;根据阳性预测值（PPV）和阴性预测值（NPV）评估两者联合应用的诊断价值。结果：Fibromodel对≥S2的曲线下面积（AUC）为0.792,以0.15为界定值排除显著肝纤维化的敏感性、特异性和NPV分别为81.1%、62.4%和87.5%;以0.5为界定值诊断显著肝纤维化的敏感性、特异性和PPV分别为68.1%、76.9%和64.2%。只对Fibromodel介于0.15～0.5之间者行肝活检,可避免46.2%的肝活检,准确性为76.7%。血清HA对≥S2的AUC为0.789,诊断界值为60ng/ml时,敏感性、特异性和NPV分别为76.8%、78.2%和82.9%;对S4的AUC为0.801,诊断界值为140ng/ml时,敏感性、特异性和PPV分别为85.5%、81.6%和82.1%。进一步应用血清HA评价未被Fibromodel确定的患者,可避免60.0%的肝活检,准确性为83.3%。结论：Fibromodel与血清HA联合应用可提高无创评估CHB肝纤维化的诊断效率,在一定程度上可替代肝活检。     

三种肝纤维化无创诊断对慢性乙型肝炎进展性肝纤维化(≥F3)诊断价值评估

目的探讨瞬时弹性成像(Fibro Touch)、FIB-4指数、APRI指数3种肝纤维化无创诊断指标对慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)进展性肝纤维化(≥F3)的诊断价值。方法纳入2013年9月至2016年12月就诊于新疆维吾尔自治区中医医院229例CHB患者,均采集患者的一般资料,进行血常规、肝生化、Fibro Touch检测,计算FIB-4和APRI指数,并行肝脏穿刺组织学检查,以肝纤维化分期分组,应用受试者工作特征曲线(ROC)分析3种方法曲线下面积(AUROC),确定截断值、敏感性和特异性。结果 (1)Fibro Touch、FIB-4、APRI指数3种无创肝纤维化诊断方法与CHB进展性肝纤维化(≥F3)均具有良好的相关性;其中Fibro Touch相关性最高,r=0.66(95%CI:0.58~0.73),优于FIB-4、APRI指数。(2)在CHB进展性肝纤维化(≥F3)诊断中Fibro Touch、FIB-4、APRI指数的AUC分别为0.89、0.77、0.73;而其中Fibro Touch的AUROC最大0.89(0.85~0.94),截断值12.7(kPa),敏感性79%,特异性83%。结论无创肝纤维化诊断技术可对CHB进展性肝纤维化进行较准确的评估,且Fibro Touch对CHB进展性肝纤维化(≥F3)的诊断价值优于FIB-4指数、APRI指数     

FIB-4指数对慢性乙型肝炎患者肝纤维化的诊断价值

目的探讨FIB-4（fibrosis index based on the 4 factor）指数对慢性乙型肝炎患者肝纤维化诊断价值。方法检测86例慢性乙肝患者血清ALT（谷丙转氨酶）、AST（谷草转氨酶）、PLT（血小板）等指标,根据病理肝纤维化分期设定两个判定点,分别为显著纤维化（≥S2级）和肝硬化（S4级）,采用FIB-4指数加以评分,以肝组织病理学检查作对比,根据受试者工作特征曲线（AUROCs）评价FIB-4对于肝纤维化的诊断价值。结果FIB-4指数采用AUROCs加以评价,显示FIB-4≥S2级（显著纤维化）AUC曲线下面积为0．813,以1．56分值为界值,诊断显著肝纤维化敏感性、特异性、PPV和NPV分别达到86．21％、71．43％、86．2％和71．4％。S4级（肝硬化）AUC曲线下面积为0．802,以2．2分值为界值,诊断肝硬化敏感性、特异性、PPV和NPV分别达到87．5％、67．14％、37．8％和95．9％。结论FIB-4指数是一种简单易行、预测结果可靠的非侵入诊断方法,在一定程度上可替代肝活检。     

GUCI评分在慢性HBV感染者肝纤维化无创诊断中的预测价值

目的与经典的APRI评分和FIB-4指数2种无创肝纤维化血清学诊断模型进行比较,探讨GUCI评分对慢性HBV感染者肝纤维化程度的预测价值。方法收集2010年1月-2016年12月在安徽医科大学第二附属医院接受肝穿刺病理学检查的慢性HBV感染者846例,分为显著肝纤维化组(≥S2期,n=396)、严重肝纤维化组(≥S3期,n=204)、肝硬化组(S4期,n=100例); 846例患者中ALT 2×ULN 491例,其中显著肝纤维化(≥S2期) 275例、严重肝纤维化(≥S3期) 143例、肝硬化(S4期) 73例; 846例患者中HBeAg阴性383例,其中显著肝纤维化(≥S2期) 218例、严重肝纤维化(≥S3期) 110例、肝硬化(S4期) 55例。所有患者均行肝穿刺病理学检查,同时检测穿刺当天的血常规、肝功能、凝血功能等相关临床指标,根据检测的临床指标分别计算出GUCI评分、APRI评分和FIB-4指数值。符合正态分布的计量资料多组间比较采用方差分析;不符合正态分布的计量资料多组间比较采用Kruskal-Wallis H秩和检验;计数资料多组间比较采用χ~2检验; 3种血清学模型与肝纤维化分期的等级相关分析采用Spearman相关分析。绘制受试者工作特征曲线(ROC曲线),并利用ROC曲线分析3种肝纤维化血清学模型的诊断性能,ROC曲线下面积(AUC)间比较采用Z检验。结果 GUCI评分、APRI评分、FIB-4指数与肝纤维化分期的相关系数r分别为0. 472、0. 435、0. 401,P值均0. 001; AST、PT-INR与乙型肝炎肝纤维化程度呈明显正相关(r分别为0. 316和0. 401,P值均0. 001);PLT与乙型肝炎肝纤维化程度呈明显负相关(r=-0. 353,P 0. 001)。GUCI评分诊断显著肝纤维化的AUC均高于APRI评分和FIB-4指数的AUC (Z值分别为6. 291、3. 159,P值均0. 001); GUCI评分诊断严重肝纤维化的AUC高于APRI评分的AUC (Z=5. 306,P 0. 000 1)。491例ALT 2×ULN患者中,GUCI评分诊断显著肝纤维化的AUC高于APRI评分和FIB-4指数的AUC(Z值分别为5. 969、3. 089,P值均0. 01),GUCI评分诊断严重肝纤维化的AUC也高于APRI评分和FIB-4指数(Z值分别为4. 455、3. 192,P值均0. 01)。383例HBeAg阴性患者中,GUCI评分诊断显著肝纤维化的AUC均高于APRI评分和FIB-4指数的AUC(Z值分别为5. 725、2. 162,P值均0. 05); GUCI评分诊断严重肝纤维化的AUC高于APRI评分的AUC (Z=4. 743,P 0. 001)。在ALT 2×ULN患者中,以0. 446分值为截断值,GUCI评分诊断显著肝纤维化的敏感度为61. 82%,特异度为82. 73%,阳性预测值为73. 14%,阴性预测值为74. 02,P 0. 001;以0. 492分值为截断值,GUCI评分诊断严重肝纤维化的敏感度为76. 92%,特异度为72. 30%,阳性预测值为44. 49%,阴性预测值为91. 56,P 0. 001;以0. 499分值为截断值,GUCI评分诊断肝硬化的敏感度为72. 00%,特异度为77. 90%,阳性预测值为29. 74%,阴性预测值为95. 54%,P 0. 001。结论 GUCI评分是一种简单且实用的诊断肝纤维化的血清学模型,特别是对于ALT 2×ULN的慢性HBV感染者,GUCI评分的诊断显著肝纤维化、严重肝纤维化的价值高于APRI评分、FIB-4指数;对于诊断肝硬化,GUCI评分与APRI评分、FIB-4指数的诊断价值基本相同。     

GGT/PLT比值对广东地区慢性乙型肝炎患者肝纤维化分期的预测价值

目的探讨GGT/PLT比值(GPR)预测广东地区慢性乙型肝炎患者肝纤维化分期的价值。方法收集2010年1月-2016年12月于广州市第八人民医院行肝活组织检查诊断为慢性乙型肝炎的患者501例,其中HBe Ag阳性335例,HBe Ag阴性166例。分析比较GPR、GGT、AST/PLT指数(APRI)及FIB-4对肝纤维化分期(F1~F4)的预测价值。Spearman相关系数分析诊断模型指标与肝纤维化分期的相关性,采用受试者工作特征(ROC)曲线下面积评估各模型对肝纤维化分期的预测价值。结果肝活组织病理检查作为金标准,F1~F4期患者分别为141、183、139、38例。Spearman相关分析显示,HBe Ag阳性和HBe Ag阴性患者GGT、GPR、APRI和FIB-4均与肝纤维化分期呈正相关(r值分别为0.459、0.526、0.320、0.470、0.272、0.366、0.288、0.388,P值均0.001),PLT与肝纤维化分期呈负相关(r值分别为-0.333、-0.349,P值均0.001)。ROC曲线分析结果显示,GPR对于HBe Ag阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者明显肝纤维化(≥F2)、进展期肝纤维化(≥F3)及早期肝硬化(F4)的预测价值优于GGT和APRI(P值均0.05),而与FIB-4的预测价值相近(P值均0.05);GPR对于HBe Ag阴性慢性乙型肝炎患者明显肝纤维化(≥F2)的预测价值优于GGT和APRI(P值均0.05),对进展期肝纤维化(≥F3)的预测价值优于GGT(P0.05),而对早期肝硬化(F4)的预测价值与GGT、APRI、FIB-4相近(P值均0.05)。结论 GPR可以作为广东地区慢性乙型肝炎患者肝纤维化分期的无创生化预测指标,尤其是对于HBe Ag阳性患者,其预测价值与FIB-4相近,亦不亚于APRI。     

FibroScan、AAR、APRI、FIB-4及其联合应用对乙型肝炎患者肝纤维化程度诊断效价的意义

目的:评估FibroScan、AST/ALT(AAR)、AST/PLT(APRI)、FIB-4及其联合应用对乙型肝炎患者肝纤维化程度的诊断效价。方法:回顾性分析406例慢性乙型肝炎及乙肝肝硬化住院患者,收集所有患者的肝脏硬度(LS)、AAR、APRI及FIB-4指数,比较慢性乙型肝炎和乙肝肝硬化两组患者LS、AAR、APRI及FIB-4指数的差异性,采用ROC曲线评价4项肝纤维化诊断指标鉴别慢性乙型肝炎及乙肝肝硬化不同疾病阶段的能力,并分析LS、AAR、APRI、FIB-4对于肝纤维化程度的评价相关性。结果:LS、AAR、FIB-4指数对肝纤维化的诊断效价在慢性乙型肝炎组与乙肝肝硬化组间比较差异具有显著性意义(P0.001);ROC曲线分析显示,鉴别诊断慢性乙型肝炎及乙肝肝硬化的LS、AAR、APRI及FIB-4指数ROC曲线下面积分别为0.866,0.772、0.632、0.885;鉴别诊断代偿期与失代偿乙肝肝硬化的LS、AAR、APRI及FIB-4指数ROC曲线下面积分别为0.627、0.666、0.795、0.820;LS分别与AAR、APRI、FIB-4指数间的Pearson相关系数分别为0.313、0.265、0.156,具有显著性意义(P0.05)。结论:LS、AAR、APRI及FIB-4指数可作为临床诊断及鉴别诊断乙型肝炎相关肝硬化的艮好指标。     

FibroScan分别与GPR、APRI、NFS、FIB-4联合应用对慢性乙型肝炎合并非酒精性脂肪性肝病进展期肝纤维化的诊断价值比较

目的评价FibroScan、GPR、APRI、NFS、FIB-4单独应用及FibroScan分别与GPR、APRI、NFS、FIB-4联合应用对慢性乙型肝炎(CHB)合并非酒精性脂肪性肝病(NAFLD)患者进展期肝纤维化的诊断价值。方法选取2014年11月-2018年8月在四川省人民医院行肝穿刺病理检查并确诊为CHB合并NAFLD的患者92例。根据肝穿刺病理SAF分级诊断标准,分为轻中度肝纤维化(F1+F2)组(n=69)和进展期肝纤维化(F3)组(n=23)。同时应用FibroScan测得肝脏硬度值,根据临床指标分别计算GPR、APRI、NFS、FIB-4。计量资料两组间比较采用Mann-Whitney U检验;相关性分析采用Spearman秩相关;多因素二元logistic回归构建联合预测因子(向前逐步回归法),绘制受试者工作特征曲线(ROC曲线),计算ROC曲线下面积(AUC),并采用Delong方法进行比较,评价各种无创诊断方法单独及联合应用对CHB合并NAFLD进展期肝纤维化的诊断价值。结果轻中度肝纤维化组的FibroScan、GPR、APRI、NFS及FIB-4水平明显低于进展期肝纤维化组(Z值分别为-4.910、-3.425、-3.837、-3.873、-3.990,P值均<0.05)。相关性分析结果显示,FibroScan、GPR、APRI、NFS、FIB-4与肝纤维化病理分期均呈正相关(r值分别为0.518、0.361、0.405、0.407、0.418,P值均<0.001)。FibroScan、GPR、APRI、NFS及FIB-4单独应用对诊断进展期肝纤维化均有一定价值(AUC分别为0.844、0.740、0.770、0.771、0.779,P值均<0.001),但FibroScan诊断价值并不优于GPR、APRI、NFS、FIB-4(P值均>0.05)。将FibroScan分别与GPR、APRI、NFS、FIB-4联合,诊断进展期肝纤维化的AUC均较单独应用时明显提高(Z值分别为1.977、2.076、2.361、2.206,P值均<0.05);将FibroScan与GPR+APRI+NFS+FIB-4同时联合诊断进展期肝纤维化的AUC及95%可信区间为0.896(0.813~0.950)。结论FibroScan、GPR、APRI、NFS及FIB-4诊断进展期肝纤维化均有一定的临床价值,FibroScan分别与GPR、APRI、NFS、FIB-4联合诊断进展期肝纤维化的效能优于单项血清学模型,其中FibroScan联合NFS或FIB-4的临床价值可能最佳。     

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.