Systematic review on oral antibacterial relay therapy for acute staphylococcal prosthetic joint infections treated with debridement, antibiotics and implant retention (DAIR).

Background: The management of acute prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) often involves a debridement, antibiotics and implant retention (DAIR) strategy.

Objective: Our objective was to conduct a systematic review and a network meta-analysis (NMA) to assess the comparative effectiveness of available oral antimicrobial regimens for the treatment of acute staphylococcal PJIs treated with DAIR.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review searching articles from databases creation until 31 December 2023. We included articles on acute staphylococcal PJIs managed with DAIR with an oral antibiotic regimen relaying the initial management. The primary outcome was the remission rate.

Results: Out of the 2421 studies screened, six studies completed the systematic review criteria: one randomized controlled trial and five observational studies. There was heterogeneity in patients' populations, duration and posology of treatments, definition of outcome and length of follow-up. Studies revealed 10 antibiotic regimens and most data focusing on five combinations recommended by the IDSA's guidelines: rifampicin associated to fluoroquinolone, clindamycin, cycline, linezolid or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Treatment comparisons were often secondary, without adjustment for confounding factors, resulting in a high risk of bias. Owing to inconsistencies a complete analysis, including an NMA was not possible.

Conclusion: The available data highlight five companions to rifampicin, however, there is insufficient evidence to compare them. The literature does not provide a basis for rationalizing alternatives when rifampicin cannot be used.