Cefazolin vs. anti-staphylococcal penicillins for treatment of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections in acutely ill adult patients: Results of a systematic review and meta-analysis

•One prospective and eight retrospective studies with 4442 patients were included.•Significantly lower rates of treatment failure and mortality were seen with cefazolin.•Subgroup analyses in lower acuity patients were similar to the combined findings.•Treatment failure and mortality with cefazolin was not significantly lower in higher acuity.•The overall risk of adverse drug reactions was reduced with cefazolin.