Dr. Maritha Kasambala

Qualifications:

PhD Medical and Health Sciences

Academic Appointments:

Lecturer

Research Interests:

Health
Molecular biology

Faculty: Science

Department: Biochemistry

Research Category: Biochemistry

Biography:

She is passionate about public health, wealth creation and particularly interested in exploring how biotechnology can be leveraged to develop novel diagnostics, therapeutics, and interventions to combat infectious diseases, improve healthcare delivery systems, and promote wellness in underserved communities. Currently working on bilharzia's impact on vulnerable populations, exploring transmission dynamics, treatment effectiveness, and long-term health outcomes. Studies investigate innovative diagnostic methods, preventative measures, and community interventions to mitigate the disease burden and improve the health and well-being of affected children.

Email: mkasambala@science.uz.ac.zw

Phone:

Publications:

1. kasambala, M., mukaratirwa, S., Vengesai, A., Mduluza-Jokonya, T., Jokonya, L., Midzi, H., Makota, R. B., Mutemeri, A., Maziti, E., Dube-Marimbe, B., Chibanda, D., Mutapi, F., & Mduluza, T. (2023). The association of systemic inflammation and cognitive functions of pre-school aged children residing in a Schistosoma haematobium endemic area in Zimbabwe. Frontiers in immunology, 14, 1139912. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1139912
2. Kasambala, M., Mduluza, T., Vengesai, A., Mduluza-Jokonya, T., Jokonya, L., Midzi, H., Makota, R. B., Mutemeri, A., Maziti, E., Dube-Marimbe, B., Chibanda, D., Mutapi, F., & Mukaratirwa, S. (2022). Effect of Schistosoma haematobium infection on the cognitive functions of preschool age children and benefits of treatment from an endemic area in Zimbabwe. BMC infectious diseases, 22(1), 809. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-022-07784-7
3. Vengesai, A., Naicker, T., Midzi, H., Kasambala, M., Muleya, V., Chipako, I., Choto, E., Moyo, P., & Mduluza, T. (2023). Peptide microarray analysis of in-silico predicted B-cell epitopes in SARS-CoV-2 sero-positive healthcare workers in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Acta tropica, 238, 106781. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106781
4. Vengesai, A., Midzi, H., Kasambala, M., Mutandadzi, H., Mduluza-Jokonya, T. L., Rusakaniko, S., Mutapi, F., Naicker, T., & Mduluza, T. (2021). A systematic and meta-analysis review on the diagnostic accuracy of antibodies in the serological diagnosis of COVID-19. Systematic reviews, 10(1), 155. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-021-01689-3
5. Mduluza-Jokonya, T. L., Naicker, T., Kasambala, M., Jokonya, L., Vengesai, A., Midzi, H., Choto, E., Musonza, K., Rusankaniko, S., Sibanda, E., Mutapi, F., & Mduluza, T. (2020). Clinical morbidity associated with Schistosoma haematobium infection in pre-school age children from an endemic district in Zimbabwe. Tropical medicine & international health : TM & IH, 10.1111/tmi.13451
6. Jokonya, L., Reid, T., Kasambala, M., Mduluza-Jokonya, T. L., Fieggen, G., Mduluza, T., Kalangu, K., & Naicker, T. (2020). Antimicrobial effects of craniopharyngioma cystic fluid. Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery, 10.1007/s00381- 02004825x
7. Mduluza-Jokonya, T. L., Naicker, T., Jokonya, L., Midzi, H., Vengesai, A., Kasambala, M., Choto, E., Rusankaniko, S., Sibanda, E., Mutapi, F., & Mduluza, T. (2020). Association of S. haematobium infection Morbidity and Severity on Co-infections status in Pre-school Age children living in a Rural Endemic Area in Zimbabwe. BMC Public Health 20, 1570 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09634-0
8. Vengesai, A., Marume, A., Midzi, H., Kasambala, M., Naicker, T. and Mduluza, T. (2020), Association of TNF (rs1800629) promoter polymorphism and schistosomiasis with sub‐microscopic asymptomatic
Plasmodium falciparum infections in a schistosomiasis‐endemic area in Zimbabwe. Tropical Medicine & International Health. Accepted Author Manuscript. https://doi.org/10.1111/tmi.13527
9. Mduluza-Jokonya, T. L., Vengesai, A., Midzi, H., Kasambala, M., Jokonya, L., Naicker, T., & Mduluza, T. (2021). Algorithm for diagnosis of early Schistosoma haematobium using prodromal signs and symptoms in pre-school age children in an endemic district in Zimbabwe. PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 15(8), e0009599. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009599
10. Vengesai, A., Naicker, T., Kasambala, M., Midzi, H., Mduluza-Jokonya, T., Rusakaniko, S., & Mduluza, T. (2021). Clinical utility of peptide microarrays in the serodiagnosis of neglected tropical diseases in subSaharan Africa: protocol for a diagnostic test accuracy systematic review. BMJ open, 11(7), e042279.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042279