Pro/con debate: Antifungal prophylaxis is important to prevent fungal infection in patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics

When critically ill patients with pancreatitis develop infection of the pancreas, the ongoing management of such patients becomes difficult. Sufficient evidence supports the use of broad-spectrum antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent the development of bacterial infection. Since fungal infection is also a relatively common complication of severe pancreatitis--particularly when broad-spectrum antibiotics are used--it seems logical that fungal prophylaxis may be an important component of management. In this issue of Critical Care, two expert groups debate the merits of antifungal prophylaxis in patients with acute necrotizing pancreatitis who are receiving antibiotics.