The main characteristics of studies included in the meta-analysis.

<p>Pr: prospective; C: cohort; Re: retrospective; RCT: randomized controlled trials; SC: single-center; CNS: coagulase negative Staphylococcus; NR: not reported; CREA: serum creatinine;</p>a<p>a rise during vancomycin therapy.</p>b<p>a rise was found more than two consecutive times after 3 days of vancomycin therapy.</p>C<p>a rise found more than two consecutive times after several days of vancomycin therapy.