Final answer:
Empiric treatment for fungal infections involves administering antifungal agents that target a broad spectrum of fungal pathogens, prior to obtaining specific test results. Important drugs include amphotericin B for serious systemic infections and azoles like clotrimazole and fluconazole for cutaneous and mucosal infections. Terbinafine is commonly prescribed for dermatophyte infections such as athlete's foot.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term 'Empiric Treatment' refers to the initial treatment given for a disease based on a professional assessment of the most likely cause, before specific diagnostic test results are available. In the context of fungal infections by pathogens such as Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida glabrata, Aspergillus, Cryptococcus, and Dermatophytes, empiric treatment would involve the administration of antifungal drugs that target a broad range of fungi, due to the overlapping symptoms that these different pathogens cause.
Amphotericin B is used for systemic fungal infections like aspergillosis and cryptococcal meningitis among others, but has serious side effects such as nephrotoxicity. Azoles, such as clotrimazole and fluconazole, are common treatments for both topical and systemic fungal infections, including cutaneous candidiasis and oral thrush. Flucytosine may be used in combination with amphotericin B for serious fungal infections like those caused by C. neoformans. For dermatophytic infections, terbinafine is often the drug of choice.