Background: Cardiac involvement in dengue has been increasingly recognized, yet the true burden and spectrum of arrhythmias remain uncertain due to heterogeneous and fragmented evidence. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the proportion of cardiac arrhythmias in patients with dengue and to describe the distribution of major arrhythmia subtypes. Methods: We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, Global Index Medicus, and Google Scholar from inception to November 2025 without language restrictions. Observational studies reporting the number of dengue patients evaluated for arrhythmias and the number with at least one rhythm disturbance were included. Random-effects generalized linear mixed models with a logit transformation were used to estimate pooled proportion with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses were performed by age group. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute tool, and certainty of evidence was evaluated with GRADE. Results: Thirty-five studies, including 6948 patients, were analyzed. The pooled proportion of any arrhythmia was 24.48% (95% CI 17.54–33.07), with a higher proportion in adults (30.00%) than in children (10.73%). Sinus bradycardia (11.84%) and sinus tachycardia (10.63%) were the most frequent abnormalities. Atrioventricular block was uncommon (1.33%). Between-study heterogeneity was high for most outcomes. No significant small-study effects were detected. Conclusions: Cardiac arrhythmias occur in approximately one in four patients with dengue, predominantly as sinus rate abnormalities. While often transient, these findings support the role of baseline and risk-based ECG monitoring, particularly in hospitalized adults and patients with severe disease.

Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection syndrome (SHS) is a severe complication of strongyloidiasis, typically in immunosuppressed patients. While sepsis and multiorgan dysfunction are well recognized, the association with thrombotic complications remains underexplored. We conducted a systematic review of case reports and case series following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched through December 2024. Eligible studies included patients with SHS or disseminated strongyloidiasis and confirmed thrombotic events. Data on demographics, risk factors, infection characteristics, thrombosis, treatment, and outcomes were extracted and narratively synthesized. Fourteen studies describing 16 cases of SHS with thrombosis published between 2013 and 2024 were included. Median age was 66 years (range 40–87), with a slight male predominance. Most patients (68.8%) were immunosuppressed, primarily due to corticosteroid therapy. Thrombotic events were heterogeneous, including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, portal and renal vein thrombosis, intracardiac thrombi, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Multifocal thrombosis (arterial + venous) occurred in 3/16 (18.8%) cases; shock was present in 5/16 (31.3%). Ivermectin was the mainstay of therapy, alone or with albendazole, although treatment regimens were inconsistently reported. Anticoagulation was frequently initiated, and two cases required thrombectomy. Despite treatment, overall mortality reached 31.3%, particularly among immunosuppressed patients with shock or disseminated thrombosis. SHS can be complicated by diverse and often fatal thrombotic events, especially in immunosuppressed individuals. Clinical suspicion should be heightened in patients from endemic regions or those receiving corticosteroids. Early empiric antiparasitic therapy, timely investigation for thrombotic complications, and individualized anticoagulation strategies are essential to improving outcomes. Given the reliance on case-level evidence, prospective studies and standardized reporting are urgently needed to characterize better risk factors, optimal management, and prognosis of this neglected but critical complication.

We sincerely thank Iqhrammullah and Rampengan for their thoughtful and valuable Comment