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Purpose of Review: In this narrative review, we discuss recent literature regarding early antifungal therapy in critically ill patients, focusing in particular on the current role of empirical antifungal treatment. Recent Findings: While the direction of effect in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) exploring efficacy of empirical therapy in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with suspected invasive candidiasis (IC) was most frequently toward a favorable impact of empirical therapy, no formal demonstration of superiority was observed. Summary: Main results from RCTs seem in contrast with the increased mortality reported from observational studies in case of delayed antifungal therapy in patients with IC, suggesting, in our opinion, that further research is still necessary to better delineate the precise subgroup of ICU patients with suspected IC who may benefit from early antifungal therapy, either early empirical based on risk scores or diagnostic-driven, or a combination of both. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amoebic liver abscess is a severe and potentially life-threatening infection requiring prompt diagnosis and early targeted treatment. Diagnosis is challenging because conventional diagnostic methods such as light microscopy and serology are often unreliable. Molecular techniques have emerged as an additional diagnostic tool, suddenly becoming the new diagnostic reference standard. More recently, commercial multiplex PCR panels, including FilmArray, have been introduced, which permit the simultaneous detection of several enteric pathogens including Entamoeba histolytica in stool samples. We report a case of an amoebic liver abscess promptly diagnosed by FilmArray gastrointestinal panel performed on liver drainage fluid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]