Current status on anti-infective treatment of acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common cause of emergent patients and common severe disorders of hospital admission. This review includes the characteristic of inflammatory reaction from AP, the pattern and the aetiology of AP with infection, the necessity of preventive use of antibacterials, antimicrobial treatment of AP with infection, use of antibacterials for extra-pancreatic infections, surgical intervention of anti-infective treatment. Related recognition and clinical experience in treatment of AP were provided. Extra-pancreatic infections appeared in the patients with AP indicating the increase in disease severity. Compared to the patients with aseptic necrosis, the patients with extra-pancreatic infections might have organ failure, increasing in rescue risk for into intensive care unit, and with mortality increasing. Early diagnosis, infection control and proper treatment with antibacterials will be the footing and base for the treatment of AP combined infection.