Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis

Research from L. Senn and co-authors provides new data about pancreatitis

Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis Library Library Home This article was published in Biotech Business Week, which you can subscribe to online.

"Fluconazole prevents intra-abdominal IC in this setting, but azole-resistant Candida species are emerging. The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy and safety of caspofungin for prevention of intra-abdominal IC in high-risk surgical patients. Prospective non-comparative single-center study in consecutive adult surgical patients with recurrent gastrointestinal perforation/anastomotic leakage or acute necrotizing pancreatitis. Preventive caspofungin therapy (70 mg, then 50 mg/day) was given until resolution of the surgical condition. Candida colonization index and CCI, occurrence of intra-abdominal IC and adverse events were monitored. Nineteen patients were studied: 16 (84%) had recurrent gastrointestinal perforation/anastomotic leakage and 3 (16%) acute necrotizing pancreatitis. The median duration of preventive caspofungin therapy was 16 days (range 4-46). The colonization index decreased significantly during study therapy, and the CCI remained < 0.4 in all patients. Caspofungin was successful for prevention of intra-abdominal IC in 18/19 patients (95%, 1 breakthrough IC 5 days after inclusion). No drug-related adverse event requiring caspofungin discontinuation occurred. Caspofungin may be efficacious and safe for prevention of intra-abdominal candidiasis in high-risk surgical patients," wrote L. Senn and colleagues.

The researchers concluded: "This needs to be further investigated in randomized trials."

Senn and colleagues published their study in Intensive Care Medicine (Caspofungin for prevention of intra-abdominal candidiasis in high-risk surgical patients. Intensive Care Medicine, 2009;35(5):903-908).

For additional information, contact O. Marchetti, CHUV, Infectious Disease Service, Dept. of Medical, Rue Bugnon 46, CH-1011 Lausanne, Switzerland.

The publisher's contact information for the journal Intensive Care Medicine is: Springer, 233 Spring St., New York, NY 10013, USA.

Keywords: Switzerland, Lausanne, Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis, Antifungal, Candidiasis, Caspofungin, Drugs, Fluconazole, Gastroenterology, Intensive Care Medicine, Pancreatitis, Pharmaceuticals, Surgery, Therapy, Treatment.

This article was prepared by Biotech Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Biotech Business Week via NewsRx.com.