系统性红斑狼疮患者心血管疾病危险因素分析

目的 探讨系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)患者高血压、糖尿病、血脂异常患病情况及血脂水平的影响因素.方法 入选2010年3月至2013年3月在北京协和医院住院的成年SLE患者540例作为SLE组,按1∶2比例在体检中心选取与SLE组患者年龄和性别相匹配的健康体检者1 080例作为对照组,进行回顾性分析.比较两组高血压、糖尿病、血脂异常的患病率及血脂水平,并对SLE患者血脂水平的影响因素进行分析.结果 SLE组高血压、糖尿病、血脂异常、总胆固醇(TC)升高、甘油三酯(TG)升高、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)减低及低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)升高比例均高于对照组,SLE组TC、TG、LDL-C水平均高于对照组,HDL-C水平低于对照组(P均＜0.01).多元线性回归分析显示,TC和LDL-C水平与狼疮肾炎(β值分别为0.695、0.437)、激素治疗(β值分别为1.195、0.715)、补体C4水平(β值分别为4.817、3.382)、24h尿蛋白量(β值分别为0.112、0.078)呈正相关(P均＜0.01),与血浆白蛋白水平(β值分别为-0.107、-0.077)、高敏C反应蛋白水平(β值分别为-0.021、-0.014)呈负相关(P均＜0.01);TG水平与狼疮肾炎(β=0.359)和24 h尿蛋白量(β=0.045)呈正相关(P均＜0.05),与男性(β=-0.605)、年龄(β=-0.014)和血浆白蛋白水平(β=-0.053)呈负相关(P＜0.01或0.05);HDL-C水平与年龄(β=0.007)、狼疮肾炎(β=0.188)、激素治疗(β=0.342)、血脂测定前30 d激素总量(β＜0.001)及补体C3水平(β=0.351)呈正相关(P均＜0.01),与高敏C反应蛋白水平(β=-0.005)呈负相关(P＜0.01).血脂水平与SLE病程、病情活动、激素治疗时间、血脂测定前激素日剂量、血清肌酐水平及红细胞沉降率无相关性(P均＞0.05).结论 住院SLE患者高血压、糖尿病及血脂异常的患病率较高,血脂水平与多种因素有关.     

中性粒细胞明胶酶相关脂质运载蛋白单核细胞趋化蛋白-1及肿瘤坏死因子样凋亡的微弱诱导剂在狼疮肾炎中的临床意义

目的 探讨狼疮肾炎患者体液中性粒细胞明胶酶相关脂质运载蛋白(NGAL)、单核细胞趋化蛋白-1(MCP-1)和肿瘤坏死因子样凋亡的微弱诱导剂(TWEAK)水平的临床意义.方法 采用酶联免疫吸附法检测51例系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)患者的血清和尿中NGAL、MCP-1和TWEAK水平,其中狼疮肾炎27例、非狼疮肾炎24例.并采集临床资料.采用t检验、Mann-Whitney U检验、Pearson和Spearman 秩相关分析进行统计学分析.结果 ①血清NGAL水平狼疮肾炎组为(122±70)ng/ml高于非狼疮肾炎组(56±34)ng/ml (P＜0.01).血清NGAL与整体SLE疾病活动指数(SLEDAI)评分、肾外SLEDAI评分、肾SLEDAI评分、尿蛋白定量(24 h)、血肌酐水平呈正相关(r=-0.408、0.431、0.339、0.403和0.585,P均＜0.05),与血清C3呈负相关(r=-0.396,P＜0.01).尿NGAL水平与慢性指数呈正相关(r=0.719,P＜0.01).②血清MCP-1狼疮肾炎组(284±1 13) pg/ml高于非狼疮肾炎组(173±69)pg/ml,P＜0.01;尿MCP-1水平在狼疮肾炎组M=1154、(P75 41 178,P5 341)pg/mg肌酐高于非狼疮肾炎组M=456、(P75 714,P25 114)pg/mg 肌酐(P＜0.01).血清MCP-1水平与整体SLEDAI评分、肾外SLEDAI评分、肾SLEDAI评分、尿蛋白定量(24 h)、血肌酐水平均呈正相关(r=0.340、0.416、0.385、0.574和0.654,P均＜0.05),与血清C3水平呈负相关(r=-0.458,P＜0.01).尿MCP-1水平与全身SLEDAI评分、肾外SLEDAI评分、肾SLEDAI评分、血清抗dsDNA抗体、尿蛋白定量(24 h)、血肌酐水平均呈正相关(rs=0.448、0.429、0.459、0.412、0.375和0.419,P均＜0.05).尿MCP-1水平与慢性指数呈正相关(r=0.689,P＜0.01).③6例狼疮肾炎尿中可检测到TWEAK.结论 尿NGAL和MCP-1水平升高提示肾脏慢性损伤.血NGAL和血、尿MCP-1水平在狼疮肾炎活动时均明显升高,可用于监测狼疮肾炎病情活动.TWEAK临床意义需要进一步研究.     

血清血管内皮生长因子及可溶性血管内皮生长因子受体1在系统性红斑狼疮患者中的表达及其意义

目的 研究血清中血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)及可溶性血管内皮生长因子受体1(sFlt-1)在活动期系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)及不同肾脏病理类型的狼疮肾炎(LN)患者中表达的意义. 方法 采用双抗体夹心酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)对60例SLE患者及30名健康人血清中VEGF及sFlt-1的水平同时进行检测,结合临床资料及肾脏病理进行相关分析. 结果 活动期SLE患者血清VEGF及sFlt-1水平均明显升高;血清中VEGF/sFlt-1的比值健康对照组较活动期SLE、非活动期SLE及LN组患者降低(P＜0.01),Ⅴ型LN组该比值较Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ型LN组升高(P＜0.05);血清sFlt-1的浓度与尿蛋白呈正相关(rs=0.6244,P＜0.01),血清VEGF的浓度与尿蛋白无明显相关(rs=0.1807,P＞0.05);血清sFlt-1的浓度与ESR正相关(rs=0.4235,P＜0.01),血清VEGF的浓度与ESR无明显相关(rs=0.0532,P＞0.05);血清VEGF及sFlt-1浓度与SLE疾病活动指数(SLEDAI)均呈正相关(rs=0.5046,P＜0.01,rs=0.5152,P＜0.01);血清VEGF浓度与肾组织活动指数(RAI)呈正相父(r=0.3386,P＜0.05),血清sFlt-1浓度与RAI无明显相关(rs=0.0240,P＞0.05);SLE患者中VEGF、sFlt-1水平与血压、血肌酐、尿素氮、C3、C4、C反应蛋白(CRP)无明显相关. 结论 血清VEGF及sFlt-1的水平可作为SLE病情活动评价指标,VEGF的高表达可能与增殖性肾小球病变相关,sFlt-1的表达与蛋白尿关系密切.     

系统性红斑狼疮患者血清卵泡抑素样蛋白1表达水平及其临床意义

目的 检测系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)患者血清中卵泡抑素样蛋白1(FSTL1)的水平及FSTL1在狼疮肾炎肾脏组织中的表达,探讨其在SLE疾病中的临床意义.方法 酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法检测54例SLE患者及27名健康对照组血清FSTL1水平.免疫组织化学染色检测狼疮肾炎患者肾脏组织及健康者肾脏组织中FSTL1的表达情况.采用Mann-WhitneyU/检验、t检验、X2检验及Pearson检验进行统计分析.结果 SLE组FSTL1血清水平(26±21) μg/L显著高于健康对照组(12±14) μg/L(P＜0.01);SLE高血压组明显高于非高血压组(P＜0.01);SLE病程≥5年组与病程＜5年组之间差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01);血清FSTL1表达水平与SLE疾病活动指数(SLEDAI)评分(r=0.319,P=0.022)、年龄(r=0.700,P＜0.01)、病程(r=0.513,P＜0.01)、补体C4 (r=0.443,P=0.004)、总胆固醇(r=0.460,P=0.001)呈正相关;与血小板计数(r=-0.422,P=0.001)、抗双链DNA(dsDNA)抗体水平(r=--0.276,P=0.046)呈负相关.FSTL1主要表达在肾小管上皮细胞胞质内.结论 FSTL1在SLE患者血清中明显升高,且与疾病活动性有关.提示FSTL1在SLE发病机制中起一定作用.     

高龄高血压患者血清胱抑素C与左心室肥厚及心功能的相关性研究

目的分析高龄高血压患者血清胱抑素C(Cys C)水平与左心室肥厚及心功能的相关性。方法将110例高龄高血压患者根据左心室质量、NYHA心功能分级分为左心室肥厚组(LVH组)与非肥厚组(非LVH组),比较两组血清Cys C水平及与心功能之间的相关性。结果 LVH组Cys C水平较非LVH组明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P0.01)。血清Cys C水平与左心室舒张末期内径(LVDD)、室间隔厚度(IVS)、左心室后壁厚度(LVPW)及左心室质量指数(LVMI)呈正相关(r=0.27~0.35,P0.01)。Cys C与射血分数(EF)值负相关(r=-0.39,P0.01),与脑钠肽(BNP)水平呈正相关(r=0.29,P0.01)。Cys C水平与心功能分级间呈正相关(r=0.56,P0.01)。结论高龄高血压患者血清Cys C水平与左心室肥厚及心功能密切相关,可作为反映左心室肥厚程度及心功能分级的重要指标之一。     

系统性红斑狼疮合并妊娠患者孕期病情的变化及其对母儿结局的影响

目的 探讨系统性红斑狼疮(SLE)合并妊娠孕妇孕期病情的变化及其对母儿结局的影响.方法 选择44例合并SLE患者的46次妊娠,分析孕期SLE病情的活动情况及其对母儿结局的影响,找出与母儿不良预后相关的危险因素.采用t检验、X2检验或Fisher精确概率法及多因素非条件Logistic回归分析等方法进行统计学分析.结果 ①孕期出现SLE病情活动19例次(活动组);无SLE活动27例次(稳定组).SLE的活动率在孕前病情稳定的患者中为16％(5/32),在孕前病情不稳定的患者中为100％( 8/8),2组相比差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).②孕期SLE活动的主要临床表现为:活动性狼疮肾炎(11例)、皮疹(10例)和关节炎(7例);主要并发症为各类感染(11例).③母儿结局:早产、胎儿生长受限( FGR)和胎儿丢失的发生率在活动组分别为42％、47％和26％,在稳定组分别为7％、15％和0,活动组较稳定组明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);子痫前期、胎儿窘迫和新生儿窒息的发生率在活动组分别为16％、16％和5％,在稳定组分别为7％、19％和0,2组相比差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).11例活动性狼疮肾炎患者的早产和FGR的发生率分别为55％和64％,较无活动性狼疮肾炎者的11％和17％明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).⑤Logistic回归分析显示肾损害、低补体水平、抗磷脂抗体(aPL)阳性和血清尿素氮水平分别是早产、FGR、胎儿丢失和胎儿窘迫的独立危险因素(P＜0.05).结论 ①孕期SLE活动可明显增加早产、FGR和胎儿丢失的发生率;活动性狼疮肾炎可明显增加早产和FGR的发生率;②肾损害、低补体水平、aPL阳性和血清尿素氮水平与不良胎儿结局密切相关.     

原发性醛固酮增多症患者左室结构损害的研究

目的 探讨原发性醛固酮增多症(PA)患者左室结构损害的特点.方法 将2007年1月至2010年6月住院行PA筛查最终确诊为PA(213例)及原发性高血压(EH)的患者(225例)纳入研究,依据超声心动图结果评价两组患者的左室结构.结果 PA组的病程、醛固酮水平明显高于EH组(P＜0.01),而血钾、肾素活性明显低于EH组(P＜0.01).协方差分析校正病程后,PA组患者的室间隔厚度、左室舒张末期内径、左室重量指数、左室舒张末期容积和每搏输出量均高于EH组(P＜0.01).PA组患者左室肥厚的发生率明显高于EH组(53.1％对33.8％,x2=16.57,P＜0.01);PA组患者正常构型、向心性重构、向心性肥厚及离心性肥厚的构成比分别是:24.9％、22.1％、22.1％和30.9％.多元逐步回归分析显示收缩压、坐位醛固酮水平是影响PA患者左室重量指数的主要因素,回归系数分别为0.45 (P＜0.01)、0.43 (P＜0.01);病程是影响相对室壁厚度的主要因素,回归系数是0.011 (P＜0.05).结论 PA患者左室肥厚的发生率高于EH患者,其左室构型以离心性肥厚最多见.     

狼疮肾炎尿液转化生长因子-β1巨噬细胞炎症蛋白-1α和中性粒细胞明胶酶相关脂质运载蛋白检测的临床意义

目的 拟判断尿液中转化生长因子(TGF)-β1,巨噬细胞炎症蛋白(MIP)-lα和中性粒细胞明胶酶相关脂质运载蛋白(NGAL)与狼疮肾炎病理的相关性.方法 酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)法检测入选对象尿液中TGF-β1,MIP-lαt和NGAL的水平.分析3种尿液标记物与病理分型、Austin评分和组织学半定量评分的相关性.统计采用t检验、方差分析和X2检验;相关性分析采用Pearson相关分析.结果 ①狼疮肾炎患者组与非肾损害SLE和健康对照组相比,尿液中TGF-β1[(351±219),(92±60),(74±29) pg/ml],MIP-1α [(18.0±15.5),(8.5±2.3),(7.1±1.9) pg/ml]和NGAL[(1.104±0.519),(0.181±0.030),(0.146±0.024) ng/ml]水平差异有统计学意义(F值分别为15.88,6.49,35.95;P均＜0.01),而与非狼疮肾炎肾小球疾病组患者差异无统计学意义.②在狼疮肾炎不同病理分型中3种尿液标记物差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01),但这种改变在同一病理类型中狼疮肾炎组和其他肾小球疾病组之间差异无统计学意义.③狼疮肾炎患者尿液中3种标记物与组织病理半定量评分相关性分析结果显示,尿液中TGF-β1与系膜基质增生指数(MsMI)、肾小球慢性病变指数(GCI)、肾间质萎缩和肾间质纤维化指数(TCI)、小动脉慢性病变指数(VCI)密切相关;MIP-1α与内皮细胞增生指数(endol)、活动性新月体及节段性袢坏死(dGAI)、VCI有相关性;而NGAL与endol,dGAI,MsHI有明显相关性.而3种标记物与狼疮肾炎患者肾活检活动性和慢性指数的相关性分析结果显示,TGF-β1与慢性指数明显相关(r=0.89,P＜0.01),而MIP-1α和NGAL与活动性指数明显相关(r=0.71,P＜0.01;r=0.60,P＜0.01).结论 狼疮肾炎患者尿液中TGF-β1与肾脏的病变的慢性化相关.而MIP-1α和NGAL与肾脏活动病理相关.     

原发性高血压患者左心室心尖形态及动力学特征

目的 应用二维超声心动图观察不同左心室构型原发性高血压患者心尖形态及动力学变化.方法 将101例原发性高血压患者分为左心室正常构型、向心性重构、向心性肥厚和离心性肥厚4组,以38例正常血压健康体检者为对照组.应用二维超声分析左心室心尖顶角(θAp)及其收缩期变化率(ΔθAp)、心尖短轴缩短率(FSAp)、心尖和左心室流出道射血峰值速度(VAp,VLVOT)及其比值(VAp/VLVOT).结果 与对照组比较,左心室射血分数(LVEF)仅在高血压左心室离心性肥厚组降低,其余组增高(均P＜0.05),而二尖瓣环纵向收缩速度在各构型组均降低,以离心性肥厚组为著(均P＜0.05).心尖顶角随着左心室重构进展呈先减小后扩大趋势,其中在向心性肥厚组最小、离心性肥厚组最大[(95.2±8.2)°比(81.6±7.1)°比(78.3±6.2)°比(98.0±9.5)°,P＜0.05].心尖顶角收缩期变化率及心尖短轴缩短率也呈现先增强后降低趋势,且正常构型、向心性重构、向心性肥厚组较对照组增大[ΔθAp:(15.6±5.4)％比(24.1±10.5)％比(30.8±10.3)％比(26.5±9.8)％比(14.3±10.0)％;FSAp:(37.1±5.6)％比(44.5±9.4)％比(47.3±10.1)％比(43.9±10.0)％比(33.5±13.5)％,P＜0.05].在高血压患者中,ΔθAp与LVEF值中度相关(r=0.48,P＜0.05),而在对照组,ΔθAp与LVEF值相关性无统计学意义.结论 原发性高血压患者左心室向心性重构阶段心尖收缩呈代偿性增强;心尖顶角及其变化率与心尖射血速度可作为评价心尖形态学和动力学的指标.     

高血压病患者左室肥厚及构型改变与胰岛素抵抗的关系

目的:探讨高血压病(EH)患者胰岛素抵抗(IR)对左心室肥厚(LVH)和几何构型的影响。方法:检测124 例EH病人的左室重量指数(LVMI),相对室壁厚度(RWT),空腹血清葡萄糖(FSG)、空腹血胰岛素(FSI)浓度, 并计算胰岛素敏感性指数(ISI)。依照LVMI及RWT的数值124例EH病人被分为左室正常构型(51例),向心性构型(30例),向心性肥厚型(22例),离心性肥厚型(21例)。结果:RWT与年龄、体重指数(BMI)、收缩压(SBP)、舒张压(DBP)、平均心率呈正相关(r=0.16-0.22,P<0.05),与ISI呈负相关(r=-0.24),LVMI与SBP、DBP呈正相关(r=0.16-0.20,P<0.05),与ISI不相关。向心性重构组和向心性肥厚组年龄、RWT、HR、BMI大于正常构型组(P<0.05-<0.01),而ISI小于正常构型组(P<0.01)。结论:胰岛素敏感性降低与EH患者左心室肥厚无关,与RWT增加密切相关;ISI可能是EH患者发生左室向心性构型的重要影响因素之一。     

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.