Shorter versus longer-duration antibiotic treatments for immunocompetent patients with bloodstream infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND

The optimal duration of antibiotic treatment for bloodstream infections remains uncertain. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of shorter versus longer duration antibiotic treatment for immunocompetent patients with bloodstream infections.

METHODS

We searched Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials without language restrictions for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between database inception and 25 November 2024, comparing shorter-duration antibiotic treatments with longer-duration antibiotic treatments in patients with bloodstream infections with a minimum difference of 3 days in duration of therapy. We employed random-effects meta-analyses to summarize the evidence. We used the mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for continuous outcomes. For dichotomous outcomes, we used the odds ratios (ORs) or risk ratios (RRs) with 95% CIs. We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework to assess the certainty of evidence. This study is registered with Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/egs8q).

FINDINGS

Eleven RCTs published between 2006 and 2025, involving a total of 5505 participants, proved eligible. There are probably little or no differences in mortality (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.79-1.05; moderate certainty), treatment failure (RR 1.08, 95% CI 0.69-1.68; moderate certainty), and relapse rates (RR 1.15, 95% CI 0.82-1.63; moderate certainty) between shorter- and longer-duration antibiotics. Compared with longer-duration antibiotics, shorter-duration antibiotics do not increase hospital readmission (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.75-1.1; high certainty), but reduce the length of hospital stay (MD -3.04, 95% CI -3.9 to -2.18; high certainty). With very low certainty evidence, we are uncertain whether shorter-duration antibiotics decrease any adverse events (RR 1.0, 95% CI 0.76-1.32) and serious adverse events (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.39-1.14) compared with longer-duration antibiotics.

INTERPRETATION

Shorter- and longer-duration antibiotics show similar efficacy for bloodstream infections, with shorter courses reducing hospital stay. Consistent effects were observed across age groups and bacterial types, but cautious interpretation is needed due to limited subgroup data.

FUNDING

None.