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Background and Aims: Alteration in humans' gut microbiota was reported in patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). The gut and upper respiratory tract (URT) microbiota harbor a dynamic and complex population of microorganisms and have strong interaction with host immune system homeostasis. However, our knowledge about microbiota and its association with SARS‐CoV‐2 is still limited. We aimed to systematically review the effects of gut microbiota on the SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and its severity and the impact that SARS‐CoV‐2 could have on the gut microbiota. Methods: We searched the keywords in the online databases of Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane on December 31, 2021. After duplicate removal, we performed the screening process in two stages; title/abstract and then full‐text screening. The data of the eligible studies were extracted into a pre‐designed word table. This study adhered to the PRISMA checklist and Newcastle−Ottawa Scale Bias Assessment tool. Results: Sixty‐three publications were included in this review. Our study shows that among COVID‐19 patients, particularly moderate to severe cases, the gut and lung microbiota was different compared to healthy individuals. In addition, the severity, and viral load of COVID‐19 disease would probably also be influenced by the gut, and lung microbiota's composition. Conclusion: Our study concludes that there was a significant difference in the composition of the URT, and gut microbiota in COVID‐19 patients compared to the general healthy individuals, with an increase in opportunistic pathogens. Further, research is needed to investigate the probable bidirectional association of COVID‐19 and human microbiome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This article aimed to analyze upper endoscopic findings in the HIV patient population to elucidate the upper-gastrointestinal complications related to HIV infection. Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders in individuals living with HIV/AIDS exhibit diverse and often nonspecific manifestations, imposing substantial morbidity and mortality burdens. Endoscopic evaluation with biopsies is essential in the diagnosis and management of these conditions. Delayed treatment due to undetected GI abnormalities during endoscopic examinations can lead to poorer health outcomes., Methods: This systematic review has determined the findings of upper-GI endoscopy of HIV-infected patients. Online databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Jisc Library Hub Discover, and Library of Congress have been searched using relevant keyword combinations. We have retrieved all the pertinent papers and reports published in English and screened them against inclusion/exclusion criteria for data extraction in two steps. First, titles/abstracts have been evaluated and then full-text screening has been performed by independent researchers. This study has adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist., Results: In this review, 24 articles have been included in the final analysis. The study has focused on the characteristics of participants and the findings of endoscopic evaluations. The participants of the study have been HIV-positive patients, and the majority of them have undergone endoscopy due to gastrointestinal symptoms. The biopsy regions primarily targeted have been observed to be the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. The most common result of the biopsy specimens has been chronic active gastritis., Conclusion: To improve clinical practice, this systematic review sought to provide an up-to-date reference for upper gastrointestinal endoscopic findings of HIV-infected persons. Our results are in line with earlier research showing how effective endoscopy is for determining a precise diagnosis and directing care. The majority of HIV patients with gastrointestinal symptoms have been found to have opportunistic infections and persistent active gastritis as well as mucosal abnormalities of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Studies have shown that endoscopic and histological assessment can aid in the early detection and management of issues involving the upper gastrointestinal tract., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Introduction: Currently, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is posing a challenge to health systems worldwide. Unfortunately, the true number of infections is underestimated due to the existence of a vast number of asymptomatic infected individual's proportion. Detecting the actual number of COVID-19-affected patients is critical in order to treat and prevent it. Sampling of such populations, so-called hidden or hard-to-reach populations, is not possible using conventional sampling methods. The objective of this research is to estimate the hidden population size of COVID-19 by using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) methods., Methods: This study is a systematic review. We have searched online databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane to identify English articles published from the beginning of December 2019 to December 2022 using purpose-related keywords. The complete texts of the final chosen articles were thoroughly reviewed, and the significant findings are condensed and presented in the table., Results: Of the 7 included articles, all were conducted to estimate the actual extent of COVID-19 prevalence in their region and provide a mathematical model to estimate the asymptomatic and undetected cases of COVID-19 amid the pandemic. Two studies stated that the prevalence of COVID-19 in their sample population was 2.6% and 2.4% in Sierra Leone and Austria, respectively. In addition, four studies stated that the actual numbers of infected cases in their sample population were significantly higher, ranging from two to 50 times higher than the recorded reports., Conclusions: In general, our study illustrates the efficacy of RDS in the estimation of undetected asymptomatic cases with high cost-effectiveness due to its relatively trouble-free and low-cost methods of sampling the population. This method would be valuable in probable future epidemics., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Introduction: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, face masks have been among the cornerstones of COVID-19 prevention. Therefore, evaluating their preventive effects against COVID-19 is crucial. This review aimed to systematically search for the systematic review articles that explored the role of various types of face masks in preventing COVID-19., Methods: We browsed the keywords of this study in the online databases of Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Cochrane on 10th January 2023 and retrieved all the relevant systematic review articles. The records were downloaded into an Endnote file, and the duplicates were removed. A two-step screening process consisting of title/abstract and full-text screenings was conducted to select the most relevant articles. To ensure the validity and reliability of the results, this study adhered to the PRISMA protocol., Results: A total of 28 systematic reviews were included in this review. Most studies found that face masks are beneficial against viral respiratory infections, such as COVID-19. Different types of masks were evaluated in included studies. It appeared that mask efficacy depends on the material, layers, fitting on the face and user compliance. N 95 respirator had maximum efficacy, especially when used continuously., Conclusion: Face masks have a beneficial effect against COVID-19. Home masks are less protective than surgical masks or N95 personal breathing masks. Besides, the use of masks may elicit a false sense of security in people, which may lead to poor hand hygiene and violation of social distancing. Therefore, the necessary training should be provided to the public to increase awareness and encourage the right practice of using the mask, emphasizing the preventive effects of washing hands, social distancing, and using a face mask against COVID-19., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Introduction: Earlier reports described the possibility of higher SARS-CoV-2 infection and severity in patients with hematological malignancies. Given the importance and incidence of these malignancies, we aimed to systematically review SARS-CoV-2 infection and severity in patients with hematologic cancers., Methods: We retrieved the relevant records by searching the keywords in online databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Scopus on December 31st, 2021. A two-step screening; title/abstract and full-text screening, was employed to select the eligible studies. These eligible studies entered the final qualitative analysis. The study is adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist to ensure the reliability and validity of the results., Results: Forty studies concerning different hematologic malignancies and the effect of COVID-19 infection on them were included in the final analysis. The findings showed that in general, the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and the severity of the disease are often higher in hematologic malignancies and the patients could experience higher morbidity and mortality compared to general populations., Conclusion: It appeared that individuals with hematologic malignancies are more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection and they experience more severe disease with higher mortality rates. The presence of other comorbidities could also deteriorate this situation. Further investigation is recommended to evaluate the outcome of COVID-19 infection in different subtypes of hematologic malignancies., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)