Fungal infections and their treatment in the intensive care unit

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To describe and bring together recent development in the diagnosis and treatment of both community-acquired and opportunistic fungal infections in the intensive care unit. RECENT FINDINGS: The past few years have brought major advances to both the diagnosis and treatment of fungal infections. The development of newer therapeutic modalities to supplement existing treatment options includes a new class of antifungal agents, the echinocandins. Newer and improved agents of the azole class have arrived as well as better delineation for the role of liposomal amphotericins. Newer, nonculture-based diagnostic tests have allowed earlier, more timely diagnosis of opportunistic fungal infections, allowing more rapid initiation of therapy. SUMMARY: Improved diagnostic tests and newer antifungal agents have been introduced, leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment.