The Pro-debate: How can we improve the outcome of invasive fungal infection? The case for combination therapy

A few precepts
• The outcome from the treatment of invasive fungal infections remains poor for many patient groups, despite the availability of new antifungal agents.
• Combining agents offers the potential to improve response and reduce mortality.
• This review sets out the case for the use of combination therapy and outlines the settings where it has been shown to be of benefit and where further clinical study may well support evidence from in-vitro and animal studies.
• The incorporation of this evidence in the current international guidelines for antifungal therapy is also discussed, emphasising the consensus for the use of combined antifungals in defined infections.