不同肺复张压力下腹腔镜结直肠癌根治术老年患者肺不张情况和呼吸力学参数观察

目的 采用肺超声检查技术观察不同的肺复张压力对腹腔镜结直肠癌根治术老年患者围手术期肺不张和呼吸力学参数的影响。方法 选择择期全麻下行腹腔镜结直肠癌根治术的老年患者90例，随机分为A、B、C组，每组30例。三组利用PEEP递增法行肺复张，A、B、C组肺复张压力分别为30、35、40 cm H₂O。三组分别于气管插管后5 min(T₁)、手术结束时(T₂)、气管导管拔除后15 min(T₃)、术后24 h(T₄)、术后48 h(T₅)分别进行肺超声检查，记录肺不张发生情况及T₂、T₃时间点的肺超声评分；比较三组T₁、T₂两个时间点的呼吸力学相关参数，包括气道峰压(Ppeak)、气道平台压(Pplat)、驱动压(ΔP,Pplat-PEEP)、动态肺顺应性(Cdyn)及氧合指数(PaO₂/FiO₂)。结果 T₁、...     

肺复张后呼气末正压通气不同模式对腹腔镜结直肠癌根治术肥胖患者呼吸力学和血流动力学的影响

目的探讨肺复张后呼气末正压通气(PEEP)不同模式对腹腔镜结直肠癌根治术肥胖患者呼吸力学和血流动力学的影响。方法 90例拟行腹腔镜结直肠癌根治术肥胖患者随机分为传统组、PEEP5组和PEEP10组,设置潮气量(VD)8 ml/kg,分别在肺复张后不给予PEEP、PEEP 5 cm H2O和PEEP 10 cm H2O。观察气腹建立前(T0)、气腹建立后10 min(T1)、气腹后头低足高位20 min(T2)和气腹结束(T3)时的气道峰压(Ppeak)、平台压(Pplat)、有效静态总顺应性(Cst)、气道阻力(Raw)、氧合指数(PaO_2/FiO_2)、死腔量(VD/VT)和肺内分流量。结果与传统组比较,PEEP5组和PEEP10组T1时Ppeak、Raw、VD/VT和Qs/Qt增加,Cst和PaO_2/FiO_2下降,T2和T3时VD/VT和Qs/Qt下降,PaO_2/FiO_2增加(P<0.05);与PEEP5组比较,PEEP10组T3时Ppeak、VD/VT和Qs/Qt下降,PaO_2/FiO_2增加(P<0.05)。结论肺复张后给予小VD(8 ml/kg)+PEEP可以改善腹腔镜结直肠癌根治术肥胖患者呼吸力学和血流动力学指标,且PEEP 10 cmH2O效果更优。     

保护性肺通气模式在结核性毁损肺全肺切除术麻醉中的价值

目的 探讨小潮气量通气和呼气末正压通气(positive end expiratory pressure,PEEP)结合压力控制通气(pressure controlled ventilation,PCV)对结核性毁损肺(tuberculous destroyed lung,TDL)患者全肺切除术单肺通气(one-lung ventilation, OLV)呼吸力学、肺内分流(Qs/Qt)、PaO₂和术后肺部感染等的影响。方法 经首都医科大学附属北京胸科医院医学伦理委员会批准,选取2016年8月至2018年3月在首都医科大学附属北京胸科医院接受择期开胸全肺切除手术的TDL患者为研究对象,共48例。采用随机数字表法将患者分为观察组和对照组,每组24例。观察组OLV期间潮气量6ml/kg,OLV开始即刻给予PCV通气,然后给予7cm H₂O(1cm H₂O=0.0098kPa)的PEEP通气;对照组OLV期间潮气量8ml/kg。记录OLV前(T₁)、OLV开始后30min(T₂)及全肺切除术后5min (T₃)时气道峰压(P_peak)和平台压(P_plat);T₁、T₂、T₃和术后6h(T₄)抽取动静脉血,测血气指标pH、PaCO₂和PaO₂,并计算Qs/Qt 值;术后第1天、第7天行临床肺部感染评分。计量资料组间比较,若方差齐,采用t检验,若方差不齐采用t'检验;组内比较采用重复测量设计的方差分析;计数资料比较采用χ²检验,均以P<0.05为差异有统计学意义。结果 T₂时与对照组比较,观察组P_peak明显降低[观察组:(21.0±2.2)cm H₂O;对照组:(22.4±2.2)cm H₂O;t=-2.446,P=0.021];T₂时与对照组比较,观察组 P_plat明显降低[观察组:(19.7±2.2)cm H₂O;对照组:(21.0±2.7)cm H₂O;t=-3.610,P=0.001];T₃时与对照组比较,观察组pH明显降低[观察组:7.3±0.053;对照组,7.37±0.047;t=-3.000,P=0.006];T₂时与对照组比较,观察组PaCO₂明显升高[观察组:(44.0±2.2)mm Hg (1mm Hg=0.133kPa);对照组:(35.7±4.0)mm Hg;t=7.091,P=0.000];T₂时与对照组比较,观察组Qs/Qt 明显降低[观察组:(21.4±5.4)%;对照组:(25.4±6.8)%;t=-0.256,P=0.020];T₄时与对照组比较,观察组PaO₂/FiO₂明显升高[观察组:(181.2±29.0)mm Hg;对照组:(159.1±25.2)mm Hg;t=2.938,P=0.009]。术后第1天,与对照组比较,观察组肺部感染评分明显降低[观察组:(4.7±0.6)分;对照组:(5.2±0.9)分;t=-2.567,P=0.017]。结论 小潮气量和PEEP结合PCV的通气模式,在TDL患者开胸全肺切除手术OLV中可以较好的降低OLV期间气道压力、降低Qs/Qt,改善术后PaO₂,降低术后第1天肺部感染的评分。     

肺保护性通气策略对腹腔镜下食管裂孔疝合并GERD患者肺功能的影响研究

目的探讨采用肺保护性通气策略对腹腔镜下治疗食管裂孔疝合并胃食管反流患者(GERD)呼吸功能的影响。 方法前瞻性选取2014年4月至2017年10月,新疆维吾尔自治区人民医院行择期腹腔镜下食管裂孔疝修补术与胃底折叠术的80例患者作为研究对象,按照入院先后顺序分为对照组和观察组。对照组采用传统容量控制通气模式,按患者体重将潮气量设置为10 ml/kg,呼吸频率设置为12次/min;观察组采用肺保护性通气策略,按患者体重将潮气量设置为6 ml/kg,呼吸频率设置为16次/min,并给予5 cm H₂O呼气末正压通气。分别在气腹前(T₀)、气腹后2 h(T₁)、气腹后4 h(T₂)记录2组患者1次平均动脉压(MAP)、中心静脉压(CVP)。在T₀、T₁、T₂、手术后24 h(T₃)记录2组患者的肺顺应性(C)、心率(HR)、呼吸频率(RR),并抽取血气,计算氧合指数(OI)。 结果在观察组和对照组中均发现,T₁和T₂组比T₀组的MAP、CVP和C高,差异具有统计学意义(均P<0.05);相对T₀组,T₁和T₂组的HR、RR和OI指标均处于较高水平(均P<0.05)。另外,在同一时间段内,观察组在T₀、T₁、T₂和T₃时间HR、RR和OI指标均高于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(均P<0.05),但MAP和CVP并未差异(均P>0.05)。 结论与传统容量控制通气模式相比,采用肺保护性通气策略可以改善腹腔镜下治疗食管裂孔疝合并GERD患者的呼吸功能。     

呼气末正压通气水平对肥胖腹腔镜结肠癌根治术患者术中呼吸功能的影响

目的对比不同水平呼气末正压（PEEP）通气对肥胖腹腔镜结肠癌根治术患者围术期呼吸功能的影响。 方法选取惠州市中心人民医院2020年1月至2021年5月行腹腔镜结肠癌根治术的肥胖患者共80例,随机分为两组：PEEP 10 cm H₂O组（高通气组）和PEEP 5 cm H₂O组（低通气组）,每组40例。记录插管后、气腹及PEEP建立、气腹2 h的P_ETCO₂、气道峰压（P_peak）和气道平台压（P_plat）;记录不同时间点的血气分析情况,以及改良肺通气评分;记录所有患者术后7 d内肺部并发症发生情况。 结果高通气组和低通气组的患者其手术时间、气腹压力、术中出血、去甲肾上腺素使用量对比差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）;两组之间的不同时间点的HR、SBP和DBP水平对比差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）,高通气组的P_peak和P_plat水平在气腹及PEEP建立、气腹2 h水平显著高于低通气组（P<0.05）,两组不同时间点的酸碱度（pH）、动脉氧分压（PaO₂）、二氧化碳分压（PaCO₂）和氧合指数（OI）水平对比差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）,两组术后肺部相关并发症发生率差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。 结论高PEEP通气在肥胖腹腔镜结肠癌根治术患者应用能提高围术期肺通气水平,但未能提高患者术的呼吸功能和减少术后肺部相关并发症的发生。     

不同通气模式对高龄腹腔镜胆囊切除手术患者呼吸力学、血气分析及血流动力学的影响

目的比较3种不同通气模式对高龄腹腔镜胆囊切除手术患者呼吸力学、血气分析及血流动力学的影响。方法 2013年5月至2014年5月择期在全麻下行腹腔镜胆囊切除术的高龄患者60例,年龄≥70岁,美国麻醉医师协会(ASA)Ⅰ~Ⅱ级,随机分为3组,每组20例。麻醉诱导和维持方法相同,气管插管后行机械通气,气腹前3组通气参数均设定为潮气量(VT)=10 ml/kg,呼吸频率(RR)=12次/min,吸呼比(I∶E)=1∶2。气腹后通气参数设定分别为:小VT组(L组)VT=7 ml/kg,RR=16次/min,I∶E=1∶2,呼气末正压(PEEP)=0;小VT+PEEP组(L+P组)VT=7 ml/kg,RR=12次/min,PEEP=5 cm H_2O,I∶E=1∶2;大潮气量组(C组)通气参数同气腹前。分别记录气管插管前(T0)、气腹前(T1)、气腹后15 min(T2)、气腹结束时(T3)、手术结束时(T4)、气管拔管后(T5)的心率(HR)、平均动脉压(MAP);抽取动脉血监测各时点p H值、动脉血氧分压(PaO_2)及动脉血二氧化碳分压(PaCO_2);监测并记录T1、T2、T3时的气道峰压(Ppeak),气道平台压(Pplat),同时计算肺泡动态顺应性(Cd)[Cd=VT/(Ppeak-PEEP)];监测并记录T1、T2、T3、T4时的呼末二氧化碳(PETCO_2)。结果气腹后3组Ppeak及Pplat均升高(P<0.05),以C组升高最为明显(P<0.05)。随着气腹时间的增加,C组数值进一步升高(P<0.05)。3组气腹后Cd均下降(P<0.05),以L+P组降低幅度最低(P<0.05)。3组气腹后PETCO_2均显著升高(P<0.05),以L组升高最为明显,随着气腹时间的增加,L组数据进一步升高(P<0.05)。L组气腹后p H降低,随着气腹时间的延长,L组进一步降低(P<0.05)。至手术结束时L组p H值仍与气腹前有明显差异(P<0.05)。L组气腹后PaCO_2升高(P<0.05),手术结束时L组PaCO_2与气腹前仍有显著差异(P<0.05)。结论小VT结合低水平PEEP通气在高龄患者腹腔镜胆囊切除术中可以有效地降低气道压,预防肺损伤,同时可提高通气效果,避免CO_2蓄积,是一种安全有效的通气方式。     

西维来司他钠对急性Stanford A型主动脉夹层手术患者围术期急性肺损伤影响的探讨

目的 探讨西维来司他钠对急性Stanford A型主动脉夹层(AAAD)手术患者围术期急性肺损伤(ALI)的影响。方法 招募2021年12月至2022年6月期间于河南省胸科医院手术室急诊行手术治疗的AAAD患者72例,采用随机数字表法将其分为西维来司他钠组(S组)和乌司他丁组(U组),每组36例。S组患者于麻醉前10 min经静脉以0.2 mg/(kg·h)的速率泵注西维来司他钠注射液直至机械通气脱机。U组患者于麻醉前10 min以2万U/kg的剂量经静脉泵注乌司他丁直至机械通气结束脱机。于麻醉诱导后切皮前(T₁)、术毕即刻(T₂)、术后24 h(T₃)及48 h(T₄)时采集桡动脉血行血气分析,计算肺泡-动脉血氧分压差(P_A-a DO₂)、肺泡氧合指数(OI)和呼吸指数(RI)。于T₁～T₄时抽取中心静脉血测定肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)、白细胞介素-6(IL-6)和白细胞介素-8(IL-8)水平。于术前1 ...     

保护性通气策略对老年人术中肺顺应性及氧合的影响

目的研究保护性通气策略[低潮气量(LV)加机械通气(PEEP)]对老年人术中肺顺应性(CL)及氧合的影响。方法选在气管插管全身麻醉下实施择期开腹手术的老年患者60例(ASAⅠ～Ⅱ级,年龄60～81岁),随机分为(1)LV组:VT(潮气量)为7 ml/kg PBW(预测体重);(2)LV+PEEP组:VT为7ml/kgPBW,PEEP为5 cmH_2O;(3)C组(常规通气量组):VT为12 ml/kg PBW。分别于插管后5 min(TO)、30 min(T1)、1 h(T2)、3 h(T3)4个时点记录心搏率(HR)、平均动脉压(MAP)、血氧饱和度(SpO_2)、呼气末二氧化碳分压(P_(ET)CO_2)、气道峰压(Ppeak)、气道平台压(Pplat)及CL变化,并于各时点桡动脉处抽血测血气指标。结果三组患者各时点HR、MAP、SpO_2、P_(ET)CO_2及手术种类比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05);C组在机械通气期间Pplat、Ppeak明显高于LV组(P=0.001;P=0.012)及LV+PEEP组(P=0.006;P=0.011);LV组、LV+PEEP组、C组CL均随着时间延长呈下降趋势(P=0.003;P=0.001;P=0.000),C组明显低于LV组与LV+PEEP组(P=0.004;P=0.001);LV组与LV+PEEP组差异无统计学意义(P=0.340)。动脉血氧分压(PaO_2)在LV组、LV+PEEP组、C组均随着时间延长呈下降趋势((P=0.002;P=0.002;P=0.000),C组较LV组与ILV+PEEP组降低明显(P=0.001;P=0.001),LV组与LV+PEEP组差异无统计学意义(P=0.231)。结论与常规大潮气量相比,小潮气量通气(7 m/kg PBW)能改善老年人术中的氧合及肺顺应性;小PEEP未显示出进一步的肺保护作用。     

无呼吸性气流通气对胸腔镜下肺癌根治术单肺通气患者非通气侧肺损伤的改善作用及其机制

目的 通过观察无呼吸性气流通气(AOI)对胸腔镜下肺癌根治术单肺通气(OLV)患者非通气侧肺损伤的改善作用，探讨其相关机制。方法 选择择期行胸腔镜下肺癌根治术的患者60例，随机分为对照组及AOI组各30例。于术中OLV开始即刻对AOI组患者非通气侧肺给予5 L/min的氧气持续性通气，对照组患者非通气侧肺不给予氧气持续性通气。于麻醉诱导后即刻(T0)、OLV后30 min(T₁)、OLV后1 h(T₂)及OLV后2 h(T₃)采集患者桡动脉血，血气分析仪检测氧合参数动脉血氧分压(Pa O₂)及动脉血二氧化碳分压(Pa CO₂)。术毕后保留已切除下来的肺癌组织，切取肿瘤周边的正常肺组织标本，HE染色观察肺组织病理学变化，评估肺损伤情况并计算肺损伤评分。采用TUNEL法观察肺组织细胞凋亡情况，计算细胞凋亡指数；采用Western blotting法测定肺组织中细胞凋亡相关蛋白B淋巴细胞瘤2(Bcl-2)、Bcl-2相关X蛋白(Bax)，自噬相关蛋白微管相关蛋白1轻链3(LC3)-Ⅰ...     

硬膜外镇痛联合超声引导下阴部神经阻滞在产妇分娩中的应用

目的 观察硬膜外镇痛联合超声引导下阴部神经阻滞在分娩中的应用。方法 选取2020年8月—2021年8月在山西医科大学第一医院行分娩镇痛的初产妇88例,随机分为硬膜外镇痛组(A组,45例)和硬膜外镇痛联合超声引导下阴部神经阻滞组(B组,43例)。宫口扩张至3 cm时两组产妇均行连续硬膜外分娩镇痛,宫口开全时B组行超声引导下双侧阴部神经阻滞,第三产程结束时停止硬膜外镇痛。记录并比较两组宫口扩张至3 cm(T₁)、硬膜外阻滞后30 min(T₂)、宫口开全时(T₃)、阴部神经阻滞后15 min(T₄)、胎头着冠(T₅)及会阴缝合(T₆)时的视觉模拟评分法(VAS)评分,第二产程,硬膜外罗哌卡因总消耗量,产妇配合满意度及会阴撕裂程度等。结果 两组产妇T₂、T₃、T₄、T₅、T₆时VAS评分均低于T₁时(P<0.05);B组T     

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.