颈动脉粥样斑块超声指标与冠状动脉粥样硬化的相关性分析

目的分析超声检测颈动脉内-中膜厚度(IMT)对诊断冠状动脉粥样硬化病变的价值,及冠状动脉粥样硬化Gensini评分与颈动脉粥样硬化Crouse积分的相关性,为冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病(冠心病)的防治提供简单易行的检测依据。方法选取成都医学院附属第二医院及四川大学华西医院于2015年1月~2017年1月心血管内科诊治并行冠状动脉造影(CAG)检查的患者114例,根据CAG检查结果将其分为非冠心病组(n=40)与冠心病组(n=74),再根据冠状动脉病变支数将冠心病组分为三个亚组,比较非冠心病组、冠心病组的颈动脉IMT、颈动脉斑块Crouse积分,探讨Gensini评分与Crouse积分的关系;评估颈动脉超声诊断冠心病临床价值。结果冠心病组的IMT较非冠心病组显著增厚,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05),其三个亚组(单支病变亚组、两支病变亚组、三支病变亚组)的IMT分别为(0.94±0.15)mm、(1.17±0.17)mm、(1.21±0.23)mm;非冠心病组Crouse积分为(1.11±0.75)分,Gensini积分为(0.0±0.0)分;冠心病组Crouse积分为(5.14±3.41)分,Gensini积分为(22.2±11.02)分,冠心病组上述指标均高于非冠心病组(P0.05);相关性分析显示Crouse积分与Gensini积分呈正相关(r=0.354,P=0.001);诊断实验四格表显示颈动脉超声诊断冠心病的诊断符合率为86.0%。结论利用颈动脉超声检查的指标去诊断冠状动脉粥样硬化病变严重程度与颈动脉粥样硬化程度的相关性,具有可实践性,值得临床推广。     

冠心病患者颈动脉粥样硬化与冠状动脉造影的关系

目的评价颈动脉粥样硬化与冠状动脉性心脏病(冠心病)的关系。方法对冠状动脉造影证实的冠心病患者153例(冠心病组)和非冠心病者(正常组)42例进行双侧颈动脉超声检查,测定血管后壁内膜-中膜厚度(inteima-media thickness,IMT),记录斑块数目,并计算斑块积分,同时冠心病组按血管狭窄累及主要病变血管支数分为单支病变亚组(63例)、双支病变亚组(49例)、3支病变亚组(41例)。结果冠心病组斑块发生率[68%(104/153) vs.11.9%(5/42),P<0.05]、颈动脉IMT[(1.11±0.19)mm vs.(0.82±0.06)mm,P<0.05]、斑块积分[(5.03±3.33)分vs.(1.11±0.75)分,P<0.05]和Gensini评分[(21.7±10.3)分vs.(0.0±0.0)分,P<0.05]比正常组高,差异有统计学意义。冠心病3支病变亚组和双支病变亚组斑块发生率、颈动脉IMT、斑块积分和Gensini评分均比单支病变亚组高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。冠心病、原发性高血压、糖尿病、低密度脂蛋白、吸烟、肥胖与颈动脉IMT呈显著正相关(P<0.05)。结...     

冠心病患者冠状动脉病变程度与半乳糖凝集素-3水平的相关性分析

目的:探讨冠心病患者冠状动脉病变程度与血清半乳糖凝集素-3水平的关系。方法:选取于烟台毓璜顶医院就诊并行冠状动脉造影(CAG)的患者158例,根据冠状动脉狭窄程度分为冠心病组(至少有一支冠状动脉狭窄≥50%,n=120)和对照组(冠状动脉造影正常,n=38)。冠心病组根据病变血管数又分为单支病变患者(n=42),双支病变(包括左主干病变)患者(n=40),三支病变患者(n=38)。冠心病组根据Gensini积分的四分位数又分为第一四分位数亚组(积分≤18.5,n=30)、第二四分位数亚组(18.5积分≤45.0,n=30)、第三四分位数亚组(45积分≤71.5,n=30)、第四四分位数亚组(积分71.5,n=30)。通过病变血管数及Gensini积分评估冠状动脉病变程度。结果:冠心病组血清半乳糖凝集素-3水平显著高于对照组[中位数(四分位数)为10.66 ng/ml(5.81 ng/ml,16.17 ng/ml)vs 1.83 ng/ml(1.14 ng/ml,2.52 ng/ml),P0.01]。随着病变血管数增加,血清半乳糖凝集素-3水平增加,不同病变血管数间差异均有统计学意义(P均0.01)。根据Gensini积分四分位数分组,随着Gensini积分升高,血清半乳糖凝集素-3水平升高,除三、四四分位数亚组间差异无统计学意义外,其余各亚组间差异均有统计学意义(P均0.01)。校正混杂因素后,偏相关分析表明,血清半乳糖凝集素-3水平与Gensini积分(R=0.17,P=0.04)和病变血管数(R=0.52,P0.01)呈正相关。结论:血清半乳糖凝集素-3水平与冠状动脉病变严重程度呈正相关,提示半乳糖凝集素-3可能对冠状动脉粥样硬化的发生、发展存在潜在的不利影响。     

冠心病合并糖尿病患者Apelin-12水平及相关性研究

目的分析冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病(冠心病)不同程度病变及合并糖尿病患者Apelin-12水平及相关性。方法连续纳入2011年2月至2013年2月在安徽省合肥市第二人民医院心血管内科住院并行冠状动脉造影(CAG)检查的患者195例,男性107例,女性88例,年龄34~87岁。按照CAG检查结果及是否合并糖尿病分为三组:正常组(n=59)、冠心病组(CHD组,n=75)、冠心病合并糖尿病组(CHD+DM组,n=61)。根据CAG结果分为对照组(n=53)、单支组(n=58)、双支组(n=36)和多支组(n=48)。根据CAG结果行Gensini评分。检测血清Apelin-12水平,与冠状动脉病变程度进行相关性分析。结果对照组、单支组、双支组、多支组Apelin-12水平[(4.35±1.27)ng/ml vs.(3.36±0.84)ng/ml vs.(2.28±0.33)ng/ml vs.(1.69±0.48)ng/ml]呈下降趋势,Gensini积分[(10.63±4.16)vs.(25.64±8.53)vs.(47.18±16.32)vs.(65.18±18.43)]呈升高趋势,差异具有统计学意义(P均0.05)。冠状动脉病变Gensini积分和Apelin-12相关分析结果显示,Gensini积分和Apelin-12水平呈负相关(r=-0.338,P0.05)。结论冠心病患者Apelin-12水平下降,下降程度与冠状动脉病变程度相关。     

血清低密度脂蛋白胆固醇和非高密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平与冠状动脉病变严重程度的相关性研究

目的探究血清低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)和非高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(non-HDL-C)水平与冠状动脉病变严重程度的相关性。方法选取2015年2月—2016年8月因胸口疼痛或胸闷等症状在东营胜利石油管理局胜利医院行冠状动脉造影的患者194例,根据造影结果分为正常组71例、冠状动脉粥样硬化组30例、冠心病组93例;根据冠状动脉病变支数将93例冠心病患者分为单支病变组34例、双支病变组30例和三支病变组29例。比较正常组、冠状动脉粥样硬化组及冠心病组患者血生化检查指标,不同冠状动脉病变支数冠心病患者血生化检查指标及Gensini积分,并分析血清LDL-C、non-HDL-C水平及non-HDL-C/高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)比值与Gensini积分的相关性。结果正常组、冠状动脉粥样硬化组及冠心病组受试者血糖及血清总胆固醇(TC)、三酰甘油(TG)、尿素氮(BUN)、肌酐(Cr)、尿酸(UA)、丙氨酸氨基转移酶(ALT)及天冬氨酸氨基转移酶(AST)水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);冠心病组患者血清HDL-C水平低于正常组和冠状动脉粥样硬化组,血清LDL-C、non-HDL-C水平及non-HDL-C/HDL-C比值高于正常组和冠状动脉粥样硬化组(P<0.05)。不同冠状动脉病变支数冠心病患者血糖及血清TC、LDL-C、BUN、Cr、UA、ALT及AST水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);双支病变组患者血清TG、non-HDL-C水平及non-HDL-C/HDL-C比值高于单支病变组,血清HDL-C水平低于单支病变组(P<0.05);三支病变组患者血清non-HDL-C水平及non-HDL-C/HDL-C比值高于单支病变组(P<0.05);双支病变组和三支病变组患者Gensini积分高于单支病变组,三支病变组患者Gensini积分高于双支病变组(P<0.05)。Pearson相关性分析结果显示,血清LDL-C水平与Gensini积分呈正相关(r=0.157,P=0.031),血清non-HDL-C水平与Gensini积分呈正相关(r=0.301,P=0.010),non-HDL-C/HDL-C比值与Gensini积分呈正相关(r=0.401,P=0.020)。结论血清LDL-C和non-HDL-C水平均与冠状动脉病变严重程度相关,且血清non-HDL-C水平与冠状动脉病变严重程度的相关性优于血清LDL-C水平。     

血清超敏C-反应蛋白、视黄醇结合蛋白4及血浆结合珠蛋白水平在冠心病患者中的变化及其意义

目的探讨冠心病(CHD)患者血清超敏C-反应蛋白(hs-CRP)、视黄醇结合蛋白4(RBP4)及血浆结合珠蛋白(Hp)水平的变化及其临床意义。方法选取2014年2月至2017年2月广安市人民医院心血管内科经冠状动脉造影检查确诊的CHD患者140例作为CHD组,另选取同期在我院心血管内科住院的非CHD患者60例作为对照组。将CHD组患者根据临床表现分为3个亚组:急性心肌梗死(AMI)组(n=38)、不稳定型心绞痛(UAP)组(n=62)和稳定型心绞痛(SAP)组(n=40)。依据病变支数分为3个亚组:单支病变组(n=27)、双支病变组(n=54)和三支病变组(n=59)。检测各组患者的血清hs-CRP、RBP4、Gensini评分及血浆Hp水平,并分析各指标与病情严重程度的关系。采用SPSS 16.0软件进行数据处理。依据数据类型,组间比较分别采用t检验和x~2检验。相关性分析采用Pearson线性相关分析法。结果 CHD组患者的血清hs-CRP[(7.29±3.65)vs(2.84±1.16)mg/L]、RBP4[(49.64±8.32)vs(42.07±5.51)ng/ml]及血浆Hp[(95.26±19.14)vs(70.13±16.33)mg/L]水平均显著高于对照组(P0.05)。AMI亚组患者的血清hs-CRP、RBP4、Gensini评分及血浆Hp水平均显著高于SAP亚组和UAP亚组患者(P0.05);UAP亚组患者的血清hs-CRP、RBP4、Gensini评分及血浆Hp水平均显著高于SAP亚组患者(P0.05)。三支病变亚组患者的血清hs-CRP、RBP4、Gensini评分及血浆Hp水平均显著高于双支病变和单支比病变亚组患者(P0.05);双支病变亚组患者的血清hs-CRP、RBP4、Gensini评分及血浆Hp水平均显著高于单支病变亚组患者(P0.05)。CHD患者的Gensini评分与血清hs-CRP(r=0.619)、RBP4(r=0.554)及血浆Hp(r=0.592)水平均呈显著正相关(P0.05)。结论 CHD患者血清hs-CRP、RBP4及血浆Hp水平显著升高,且与冠状动脉病变严重程度密切相关。     

非糖尿病急性冠状动脉综合征与急性高血糖的关系

目的:分析冠状动脉的病变程度与应激性高血糖水平的关系.方法:选择126例接受冠状动脉造影的非糖尿病急性冠状动脉综合征住院患者并监测其入院后24 h内血糖水平.根据冠状动脉病变的程度分为单支病变组、双支病变组和多支病变组.结果:多支病变组入院24 h内血糖值显著高于双支病变组[(9.9±1.0 )mmol/L∶(7.6±1.3 )mmol/L]及单支病变组[(9.9±1.0) mmol/L∶(5.9±0.4 )mmol/L],均P＜0.01.双支病变组入院24 h内血糖值同样显著高于单支病变组[(7.6±1.3) mmol/L∶(5.9±0.4 )mmol/L),P＜0.01.结论:在非糖尿病急性冠状动脉综合征患者中,急性期血糖值在一定程度与冠状动脉病变程度相关.     

血清同型半胱氨酸水平与糖尿病合并冠心病患者冠状动脉病变程度的相关性

目的:探讨血清同型半胱氨酸水平与糖尿病合并冠心病患者冠状动脉病变程度的相关性。方法 :选择2014年6月1日—12月31日糖尿病合并冠心病患者91例,记录其冠状动脉病变情况,根据不同血清同型半胱氨酸水平以及不同冠状动脉病变情况分别分组,分析血清同型半胱氨酸水平与冠状动脉病变程度的相关性。结果:高同型半胱氨酸血症组患者冠状动脉病变Gensini评分显著高于正常同型半胱氨酸水平组患者[(34.54±31.81)分比(18.37±19.38)分,P=0.006)]。根据冠状动脉病变情况分组,单支病变患者血清同型半胱氨酸水平为(13.68±2.99)μmol/L,双支病变患者为(16.75±4.41)μmol/L,多支病变患者为(27.40±10.78)μmol/L,不同冠状动脉病变支数患者血清同型半胱氨酸水平存在显著差异(P     

磷酸二酯酶-9A对评估冠状动脉粥样硬化病变程度的临床价值

目的:探讨血浆磷酸二酯酶-9A(PDE-9A)水平与冠状动脉(冠脉)粥样硬化病变严重程度的关系。方法:选择经冠脉造影确诊的冠状动脉粥样硬化性心脏病(冠心病)75例(单支病变33例、二支病变22例、三支病变20例)和同期行冠脉造影无血管病变的对照组25例,应用ELISA法测定血浆PDE-9A水平。以冠脉病变血管支数及Gensini积分评估冠脉粥样硬化程度,并与血浆PDE-9A水平进行相关分析。应用ROC曲线评估PDE-9A对严重冠脉病变的预测价值。结果:冠心病组血浆PDE-9A水平明显高于对照组[(29.50±7.77)ng/mL对(15.35±3.25)ng/mL,P0.05)]。随冠脉病变血管支数增多,血浆PDE-9A水平也逐渐升高(P0.05)。血浆PDE-9A水平与Gensini冠脉病变积分呈正相关(r=0.319,P0.05)。ROC曲线分析结果显示,血浆PDE-9A24.73 ng/mL预测多支(二支和三支)血管病变的敏感性为78.6%,特异性为92.3%;预测严重冠脉粥样硬化(Gensini积分≥45)的敏感性为93.2%,特异性为94.8%。但logistic多因素回归分析提示,血浆PDE-9A水平不是冠脉病变的独立危险因素。结论:血浆PDE-9A水平对评估冠脉病变严重性具有一定的临床价值。     

冠心病患者同型半胱氨酸与白细胞介素-8水平研究

目的 测定不同类型冠心病患者同型半胱氨酸(Homocysteine,HCY)以及白细胞介素-8(Interleukin-8,IL-8)水平,探讨HCY致冠心病作用的机制.方法 冠心病患者96例(不稳定型心绞痛56例,稳定型心绞痛40例),20例冠脉造影正常者作为对照组.根据造影结果分为单支病变组、双支病变组以及三支病变组,并根据狭窄程度计分.采用ELISA法分别测定血浆HCY、IL-8水平.结果 不稳定型心绞痛组HCY、IL-8水平均显著高于稳定型心绞痛组,分别为[(20.42±5.89)μmol/L vs (14.22±4.50)μmol/L](P＜0.01)、[(101.93±21.23)μmol/L vs (69.91±20.15)μmol/L](P＜0.01),两组均明显高于对照组[(9.98±2.95)μmol/L](P＜0.01)、[(43.98±15.02)μmol/L](P＜0.01);三支病变组HCY水平为[(21.75±6.23)μmol/L],高于双支病变组[(18.24±6.17)μmol/L],但无显著性差异;显著高于单支病变组[(14.82±4.01)μmol/L](P＜0.01),双支病变组HCY水平高于单支病变组,但无显著性差异,单支病变组、双支病变组、三支病变组均显著高于对照组.单支、双支、三支病变组IL-8水平分别为[(108.89±22.29μmol/L)]、[(90.59±12.59)μmol/L]、[(73.04±24.03)μmol/L]均显著高于对照组(P＜0.01).Logistic分析及多元逐步回归分析发现HCY为不稳定型心绞痛和冠心病患者病变狭窄程度的独立危险因素.相关分析表明HCY与IL-8呈正相关,相关系数r=0.718(P＜0.01).结论 HCY通过激发炎性反应,导致IL-8水平增高,引起冠心病患者冠状动脉病变不稳定和狭窄程度加重.     

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.