主动脉球囊反搏术及多巴胺对急性心肌梗死合并泵功能衰竭行介入治疗的辅助疗效

目的前瞻性对比研究主动脉球囊反搏(IABP)和多巴胺在急性心肌梗死(AMI)合并泵功能衰竭行经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)的辅助疗效。方法收集AMI合并泵功能衰竭患者57例,按先后顺序分成IABP组(26例)和多巴胺组(31例)。采用Swan-Ganz漂浮导管测定血流动力学参数,常规行(PCI),超声观察3月后左心室射血分数(LVEF)。结果IABP和多巴胺两组治疗后平均肺动脉压(MPAP)、肺毛细血管嵌压(PCWP)较治疗前明显下降,动脉收缩压(SBP)、心脏指数(CI)较治疗前明显上升,有显著性差异,同时,治疗后在MPAP和PCWP下降幅度和SBP及CI上升幅度方面,IABP优于多巴胺,也有差异显著性;比较治疗后即刻成功率及3个月后LVEF,IABP明显高于多巴胺(分别为85%∶71%和55%±14%∶42%±18%,P<0.05),死亡率、住院时间和稳定血流动力学所需要时间IABP明显低于多巴胺分别为15%∶19%和(17±6.2)d:(23±8.9)d和(4.5±3.2)d:(6.5±3.8)d,所有P<0.05。两组共有10例死于泵衰竭、上消化道出血、多脏器功能衰竭。结论IABP和多巴胺皆可作为AMI合并泵功能衰竭行PCI术围手术期的一种辅助治疗手段,IABP较多巴胺疗效更优越。     

心力衰竭患者脑利钠肽浓度与血流动力学的关系及临床意义

目的探讨心力衰竭(心衰)患者快速检测脑利钠肽(BNP)水平与血流动力学的相关性及对心衰诊断的临床意义。方法2003年7月至2004年6月住院有气促和呼吸困难患者117例:(1)心原性呼吸困难组75例,其中行血流动力学检查53例,(2)肺原性呼吸困难组42例。均经干式快速免疫荧光法定量分析检测BNP。超声心动图检查左室舒张期末内径(LVEDD)。结果53例心衰患者的肺毛细血管嵌压[PCWP,mmHg(1mmHg=0·133kPa)]、平均肺动脉压(MPAP,mmHg)、右房压(RAP,mmHg)和血浆BNP(ng/L)水平分别是:Ⅱ级心功能(18例)为16.10±3.50、22.50±4·68、3.11±1·90、271.25±159.29,Ⅲ级心功能(20例)为21.50±4.42、28.60±9.35、8.95±3.86、619.58±237.48,Ⅳ级心功能(15例)为29.28±8.61、36.50±12.32、15.27±4.96、1519.28±618.62(P<0.01~0.05)。血浆BNP与各血流动力学指标做直线相关回归分析表明,BNP分别与PCWP、MPAP、RAP显著正相关(r分别为0.59、0.50、0.32,P值分别<0.01、<0.01、<0.05)。LVEDD≥60mm组24例的血浆BNP浓度(918.48±453.25)ng/L,显著高于LVEDD<60mm组29例(298.58±167.51)ng/L(P<0.01),而LVEDD<60mm组BNP水平比左、右室舒张期末内径正常的肺原性呼吸困难组BNP[(35.4±26.4)ng/L]显著增高(P<0.01)。心原性呼吸困难组BNP水平(761.30±480.47)ng/L,明显高于肺原性呼吸困难组(35.4±26.4)ng/L(P<0.01)。结论心衰患者BNP与PCWP、MPAP、RAP显著正相关,BNP的释放直接与心室压力负荷过度和心室容积扩张相关。快速检测BNP浓度对鉴别呼吸困难是心原性或肺原性具有重要意义。     

前列地尔联合马来酸桂哌齐特对2型糖尿病并发周围神经病变患者的临床疗效及对神经传导速度、氧化应激指标、胱抑素C水平的影响

目的 探讨前列地尔联合马来酸桂哌齐特对2型糖尿病并发周围神经病变患者的临床疗效及对神经传导速度、氧化应激指标、胱抑素(Cys)C水平的影响.方法 2型糖尿病并发周围神经病变患者130例,随机分为对照组和病例组各65例.对照组给予马来酸桂哌齐特治疗,病例组在对照组基础上给予注射用前列地尔.观察两组临床疗效、神经传导速度、氧化应激指标、CysC水平的变化.结果 病例组总有效率显著高于对照组(P<0.05).治疗后,两组运动和感觉神经(腓总神经、尺神经、胫神经、正中神经)传导速度、血流流速、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)水平、总抗氧化能力(TAOC)水平明显高于治疗前;全血黏度、血浆黏度、血细胞比容、丙二醛(MDA)、CysC水平、视觉模拟评分(VAS)、多伦多临床评分系统(TCSS)评分、匹茨堡睡眠质量指数量表(PSQI)评分明显低于治疗前;且病例组运动和感觉神经传导速度、血流动力学指标、VAS评分、TCSS评分、PSQI评分、氧化应激和CysC水平改善情况显著优于对照组(P<0.05).两组不良反应发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 前列地尔联合马来酸桂哌齐特对2型糖尿病并发周围神经病变患者临床疗效显著,可明显改善患者神经传导速度和血流动力学指标,调节氧化应激水平,安全性好.     

侧卧位和分侧肺通气对单侧急性肺损伤犬的影响

目的观察体位和分侧肺通气对单侧急性肺损伤(ALI)犬的影响,探讨单侧ALI时合理的机械通气方式。方法健康杂种犬28只,建立盐酸所致单侧ALI,行容量控制通气(VCV),分为常规通气组(A组)、常规通气+健侧卧位组(B组)、不同步分侧肺通气组(C组)、同步分侧肺通气组(D组)。通气240min后,每组随机选取4只犬行核素显像。监测氧合、血流动力学、呼吸力学和肺损伤指标。结果(1)通气30min后B、C、D组氧合指数(PaO2/FiO2)[(277±23)、(296±31)、(299±22)mmHg,1mmHg=0.133kPa]显著高于A组[(180±25)mmHg,P均<0.01],通气60min后C、D组PaO2/FiO2[(348±34)、(343±29)mmHg]显著高于B组[(314±33)mmHg,P均<0.05]。(2)通气120min后B组静态肺顺应性(Cst)[(23±4)ml/cmH2O]较A组[(19±2)ml/cmH2O]显著改善,通气60min后C、D组左侧Cst[(11±1)、(11±1)ml/cmH2O]均较ALI状态时显著改善[(7±2)、(6±1)ml/cmH2O,P均<0.01]。(3)B、C、D组损伤侧血流/总血流(Q损伤/Q总)[(31.3±4.6)%和(27.5±1.3)%、(27.3±2.8)%]与A组比较差异均有统计学意义[(38.3±2.2)%,P均<0.01]。结论健侧卧位和分侧肺通气均能明显改善单侧ALI犬的氧合和肺的顺应性,分侧肺通气改善氧合较健侧卧位更有效,改善氧合的机制可能与影响双侧血流分布有关。     

充血性心力衰竭患者窦性心率震荡现象及其临床意义

目的观察心率震荡(HRT)现象在慢性充血性心力衰竭(CHF)患者中的变化,并探讨其临床意义。方法选择66例CHF患者和30例室性期前收缩者(对照组)。其中CHF患者按纽约心功能分级(NYHA)分为轻度CHF组(NYHAⅡ级,29例)和重度CHF组(NYHAⅢ～Ⅳ级,37例);又根据预后不同分为死亡组(11例)和生存组(55例)。所有研究对象经超声心动图测量左心室射血分数(LVEF)和左心室舒张末期内径(LVEDD),并行动态心电图(Holter)检查,获取震荡初始(TO)和震荡斜率(TS)。结果 CHF患者HRT现象明显减弱,CHF组TO和LVEDD明显大于对照组[1.65%±1.49%比-1.02%±0.76%;(59.85±4.46)mm比(47.64±4.96)mm,均为P<0.01],TS和LVEF明显小于对照组[(4.13±2.07)ms/RR比(7.86±3.02)ms/RR;53.34%±11.00%比69.46%±12.75%,均为P<0.01]。重度CHF组TO高于轻度CHF组,但差异无统计学意义。重度CHF组Ts和LVEF则明显低于轻度CHF组[(3.22±1.52)ms/RR比(5.28±2.12)ms/RR;46.34%±6.88%比62.20%±8.59%,均为P<0.01],LVEDD明显大于轻度CHF组[(59.53±4.91)mm比(55.27±3.91)mm,P<0.01]。死亡组TS和LVEF明显低于生存组[(1.92±0.79)ms/RR比(4.34±1.97)ms/RR,44.27%±7.50%比55.09%±10.75%,均为P<0.01],LVEDD和TO明显大于生存组[(58.45±5.11)mm比(55.35±4.19)mm,2.75%±1.75%比1.43%±1.35%,均为P<0.05]。HRT 0级:生存组患者多于死亡组[8例(14.5%)比0(0),P>0.05],HRT 1级:生存组患者明显多于死亡组[39例(70.9%)比3例(27.3%),P<0.05],HRT 2级:生存组患者明显少于死亡组[8例(14.5%)比8例(72.7%),P<0.01]。死亡与TO、HRT 2级和LVEDD呈正相关(均为P<0.05),与TS和LVEF呈负相关(P<0.01)。结论重度CHF患者心率震荡现象明显减弱,HRT可作为CHF患者危险性评估的指标。     

螺内酯对急性心肌梗死患者胶原代谢标志物和左室重构的影响

目的:观察螺内酯对急性心肌梗死(AMI)患者胶原代谢标志物及左室重构的影响。方法:将60例AMI患者分为常规治疗组与螺内酯治疗组,应用放射免疫法测定血浆Ⅲ型前胶原氨基末端肽(PⅢNP)、血清透明质酸(HA)含量,用超声心动图测量左室结构及舒缩功能参数。结果:常规治疗组与螺内酯治疗组AMI后第2天血浆PⅢNP分别为(5.24±1.09)、(5.14±1.21)μg/L与正常组[(5.01±1.18)μg/L]相比差异无统计学意义(均P>0.01)。螺内酯治疗组第4周、第12周血浆PⅢNP含量分别为(7.25±1.97)、(6.82±1.98)μg/L较常规治疗组同时间点含量[(10.23±2.25)、(8.36±2.11)μg/L]均显著下降(均P<0.01)。第4周、第12周螺内酯治疗组血清HA含量[(136.4±28.7)、(109.2±30.5)ng/L]与常规治疗组[(167.5±31.5)、(134.5±36.1)ng/L]比较均显著下降(P<0.01)。螺内酯治疗组第12周左室舒张期末容积指数[(57.2±5.8)ml/m2]和收缩期末容积指数[(29.2±5.3)ml/m2]与常规治疗组[(65.9±6.3),(35.7±6.8)]相比均显著降低(P<0.01);二尖瓣血流舒张早期流速(VE)与心房收缩期流速(VA)比值(VE/VA)与常规治疗组相比均显著增加(P<0.01),射血分数虽有增加,但无明显变化(P>0.05)。结论:螺内酯可降低AMI患者血浆PⅢNP、HA含量,阻抑左室重构,改善左室功能。     

应用血管内多普勒超声评价主动脉瓣返流对冠状动脉血流的影响

目的应用血管内多普勒超声评价主动脉瓣返流对冠状动脉血流的影响。方法选取慢性重度的主动脉瓣返流患者12例,先行冠状动脉造影检查,排除冠心病,再行冠状动脉内多普勒检查,测定前降支中远端的平均峰值流速(APV),舒张收缩流速比值(DSVR),冠状动脉血流储备(CFR)等,并测定左心室舒张末压力(LVEDP),用12例正常数据作对照。结果与正常对照相比,主动脉瓣返流患者 APV 升高[(45.8±19.5)cm/s vs.(23.5±15.4)cm/s,P<0.05];DSVR 降低[(1.4±0.8)vs.(2.6±1.7),P<0.05];CFR 降低[(1.5±1.9)cm/s vs.(3.8±2.1)cm/s,P<0.05];LVEDP 升高[(20.6±10.5)mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)vs.(8.2±5.6)mm Hg,P<0.05];前降支中段内径无变化[(3.8±1.5)mm us.(3.5±1_4)mm,P>0.05]。结论慢性重度主动脉瓣返流对冠状动脉血流有显著影响,表现为基础状态时 APV 升高,而 DSVR 和 CFR 降低,并使左心室舒张功能减低。CFR减低可能是冠状动脉造影正常的主动脉瓣返流患者心绞痛的主要机制。     

氨甲喋呤对充血性心力衰竭患者的非特异抗炎作用

目的:评价小剂量氨甲喋呤(MTX)对充血性心力衰竭(CHF)患者血浆中各炎症递质的调节作用及其临床意义。方法:62例CHF患者(NYHA Ⅱ~Ⅳ)被随机分为 MTX治疗组(7.5 mg/周)和常规治疗组,共治疗12周,观察两组患者血浆中各炎症递质表达水平及临床病情,并与正常对照组比较。结果:①CHF患者外周血浆中各炎症递质水平均显著高于正常对照组;②MTX治疗组患者血浆中肿瘤坏死因子 α和单核细胞趋化蛋白 1的水平显著低于常规治疗组[(2.81 ±0.83)μg/L ∶(3.23 ±0.89)μg/L;(49.9 ±20.9)ng/L∶(60.4 ±17.7)ng/L,均P<0.05),而可溶性白细胞介素 1 受体拮抗剂的水平高于常规治疗组[(92.7 ±22.0) ng/L ∶(78.2 ±15.5)ng/L,P<0.05]。③与常规治疗组比较,MTX治疗组在心功能分级、生活质量、运动耐量方面可得到进一步改善,但CHF患者两组在左室射血分数及左室舒张末期直径以及重要的心血管不良事件发生率差异无统计学意义。结论:小剂量MTX治疗对CHF患者具有非特异性的免疫调节作用。     

运动康复对急性心肌梗死患者左室重构和功能的影响

目的探讨有指导的运动康复对急性心肌梗死(AMI)患者左室重构和收缩功能的影响。方法64例无并发症首发AMI患者随机分为运动组与对照组,对运动组患者进行个体化的运动锻炼指导。采用超声心动图、血N-末端脑钠肽前体(NT-proBNP)及心肺运动试验检测。结果两组患者随访终点时运动组NTpro-BNP水平较基线值下降[(335.64±246.14)ng/L比(845.29±93.48)ng/L,P<0.05],并显著低于对照组[(1099.83±168.75)ng/L];左室射血分数(LVEF)增加[(60.0±8.0)%比(55.0±8.6)%,P<0.05],对照组NT-proBNP及LVEF与基线值比较无统计学意义(P>0.05);运动组患者心室舒张末径(LVDd)无明显变化[(50.3±3.9)mm比(50.7±4.5)mm,P>0.05],而对照组LVDd则较心肌梗死早期增大[(52.6±5.4)mm比(50.9±5.8)mm,P<0.05]。结论运动康复锻炼可改善无并发症AMI患者心脏收缩功能,限制左室的异常重构。     

血清T3/fT4对急性心肌梗死介入术后并发心力衰竭的预测价值

目的 研究血清总三碘甲状腺氨酸（Total Triiodothyronine,T3）/游离甲状腺素（free thyroxine,fT4）对急性心肌梗死（acute myocardial infarction,AMI）介入术后并发心力衰竭（heart failure,HF）的预测价值。方法 选择2017年3月至2018年3月在我院接受治疗的AMI介入患者83例作为对照组,另选同期在我院接受治疗的AMI介入后并发HF的患者29例作为观察组。对比两组患者的基础资料,生化指标,分析影响AMI介入术后并发HF的危险因素,利用ROC曲线分析血清总T3/fT4对AMI介入术后并发HF的预测价值。结果：观察组的年龄[(71.37±5.24)岁比(60.68±6.92)岁,t=7.585]、心率(heart rate,HR)[(87.13±26.98)次/分比(73.66±25.31)次/分 ,t=2.425]及心功能分级为Ⅲ~Ⅳ级的比例[62.07%比37.35%,2=5.336]较对照组明显更高,左心室射血分数（left ventricular ejection fraction,LVEF）[(40.69±9.87)%比（54.38±9.34)% ,t=6.696]较对照组明显更低（P<0.05）。观察组的脑钠肽（brain natriuretic peptide,BNP）[(986.58±301.65)pg/ml比(454.96±129.37)pg/ml ,t=13.055]及fT4[(1.42±0.31)ng/dl比(1.25±0.26)ng/dl,t=2.881]水平较对照组明显更高,而总T3[(89.48±31.06)ng/dl比(103.57±24.33)ng/dl,t=2.492]及总T3/fT4[(59.74±30.38)比(106.58±31.47),t=6.961]水平较对照组明显更低（P均<0.05）。Logistic回归分析显示,BNP及总T3/fT4是AMI介入术后并发HF的独立危险因素（OR=1.797、2.436,P<0.05）。血清总T3/fT4预测AMI介入术后并发HF的曲线下面积是0.841,诊断阈值是68,灵敏度为78.24%,特异度为73.43%。结论 血清总T3/fT4能够较好地预测AMI介入术后并发心力衰竭的情况,对患者的病情具有一定的研判价值,临床上可以将其引入AMI患者的病情监测过程中,从而更好地服务临床治疗。     

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.