Meta‐analysis of trials comparing cefazolin to antistaphylococcal penicillins in the treatment of methicillin‐sensitive Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia

AIMS: The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness and safety of cefazolin vs. antistaphylococcal penicillin (ASP) in the treatment of methicillin‐sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) bacteraemia. METHODS: The databases of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central were used to identify comparative trials of cefazolin vs. ASP in MSSA bacteraemia. Meta‐analysis of included trials was performed to assess any differences regarding mortality, clinical cure, recurrence and withdrawal from adverse effects between groups. Data were analysed using fixed effect model. Studies were weighted using Mantel–Haenszel methodology. Heterogeneity was calculated using the I(2) statistic. RESULTS: Nine retrospective and one prospective trials were identified involving 4728 patients, 2954 with ASP and 1774 with cefazolin. Meta‐analysis showed a lower mortality rate with cefazolin vs. ASP using fixed effect model [risk ratio (RR) 0.78, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.69–0.88, P