Academic Staff
Medicine
College of Medicine
University of Duhok
- MBChB
- MSc
- PhD
- PDipID
- FRCP (Glasg)
Extensive experience in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. I teaches infectious diseases, internal medicine, and clinical medicine using evidence-based and student-centered approaches. My teaching combines classroom lectures with bedside clinical training to strengthen students' diagnostic and clinical decision-making skills. I am actively involved in supervising medical, MSc, and PhD students in clinical research and thesis projects. I contributed to curriculum development and the modernization of medical education through competency-based teaching methods. I regularly prepare and evaluates written examinations, MCQs, OSCEs, and oral assessments. I have organized and delivered numerous workshops and continuing medical education programs for healthcare professionals. My teaching emphasizes professionalism, ethical practice, critical thinking, and lifelong learning. I integrate current research findings into his teaching to promote evidence-based clinical practice. Through my academic and clinical mentorship, I played an important role in developing the next generation of physicians and researchers
I am actively engaged in clinical practice, medical education, research, and academic leadership in the field of infectious diseases. I provide specialist clinical care for patients with complex infectious diseases while teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students at the University of Duhok. My research focuses on tuberculosis, viral hepatitis, HIV, antimicrobial resistance, and emerging infectious diseases, and I have published extensively in peer-reviewed international journals. I supervise MSc and PhD students and collaborate with national and international researchers on multidisciplinary projects. I regularly organize and deliver scientific conferences, workshops, and continuing medical education programs for physicians and healthcare professionals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I led educational activities and professional training on disease management and infection prevention and control. I have contributed to curriculum development, assessment, and quality improvement in medical education, including participation in international Erasmus+ capacity-building initiatives. I have served in academic leadership positions, including Dean of the College of Pharmacy, and have been actively involved in university governance and institutional development. I also promote international academic collaboration to strengthen medical education, clinical services, and research capacity. Through my clinical practice, teaching, research, and leadership activities, I strive to advance infectious disease care and improve healthcare education in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Research
1. Sirota, S.B., et al., Global burden of lower respiratory infections and aetiologies, 1990–2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023. The Lancet infectious diseases, 2026. 26(4): p. 343-361.
2. Sirota, S.B., et al., Global, regional, and national burden of meningitis, its risk factors, and aetiologies, 1990–2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023. The Lancet Neurology, 2026. 25(5): p. 451-468.
3. Vongpradith, A., et al., Global burden of enteric infectious diseases, diarrhoeal diseases, and corresponding aetiologies, 1990–2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 2026.
4. Mestrovic, T., et al., The burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region 1990–2021: a cross-country systematic analysis with forecasts to 2050. The Lancet Public Health, 2025. 10(11): p. e955-e970.
5. Al-Noori, Aleen Sardar, Ahmed Mohamed Salih, and Muayad Aghali Merza. "Vaccination and vitamin D in relation to disease severity and mortality in patients with COVID-19 disease: a follow-up study." Cellular and Molecular Biology 71.11 (2025): 100-108.
6. Al-Noori, Aleen Sardar, Ahmed Mohamed Salih, and Muayad Aghali Merza. "Characterization of COVID-19 patients in clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory settings: the role of vitamin D binding protein and vitamin D level in severity." Cellular and Molecular Biology 71.12 (2025): 39-48.
7. Mohammad, F.K., G.A. Raouf, and M.A. Merza, Meta-analysis of decreased serum cholinesterase activity in COVID-19. Health Biotechnology and Biopharma (HBB), 2025. 9(1): p. 99-121.
8. Salih S.M. et al., Knowledge, conception and attitude toward HBV and HCV among dentists in Duhok province; Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Duhok Medical Journal. 2024. 18(2).
9. Taher, S., J. Abdo, and M. Merza, The surveillance of spike protein mutations of SARS-COV-2 omicron subvariant isolated from Duhok province, Iraq. Lifelong DentoMedical Health, 2024. 1(1): p. 07-15.
10. Taher S, Abdo J, Merza M. The surveillance of spike protein mutations of SARS-COV-2 omicron subvariant isolated from Duhok province, Iraq. Journal of Lifelong DentoMedical Health. 2024 Jun 15;1(1):07-13.
11. Raouf GA, Mohammad FK, Merza MA. The Potential Risk of Reduced Serum Cholinesterase Activity in COVID-19 Patients Suffering From Cytokine Storm. Cureus. 2024 May;16(5).
12. Ledesma JR, Ma J, Zhang M, Basting AV, Chu HT, Vongpradith A, Novotney A, LeGrand KE, Xu YY, Dai X, Nicholson SI. Global, regional, and national age-specific progress towards the 2020 milestones of the WHO End TB Strategy: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. 2024 Jan 1.
13. Taher SM, Abdo JM, Merza MA. Phylogenetic, Sequencing, and Mutation Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (BA. 1) and Its Subvariants (BA. 1.1, BA. 2) During the Fifth Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. Cureus. 2023;15(11).
14. Taha SK, Abd KH, Abdulkareem FN, Saleem ZS, Almukhtar SE, Merza MA. Clinico-demographic and microbiological profile of acute pyelonephritis in Azadi Teaching Hospital, Duhok province, Iraqi Kurdistan.
15. Raouf GA, Mohammad FK, Merza MA, Raouf G. Polypharmacy and the In Silico Prediction of Potential Body Proteins Targeted by These Drugs Among Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients With Cytokine Storm. Cureus. 2023 Nov 15;15(11).
16. Wunrow HY, Bender RG, Vongpradith A, Sirota SB, Swetschinski LR, Novotney A, Gray AP, Ikuta KS, Sharara F, Wool EE, Aali A. Global, regional, and national burden of meningitis and its aetiologies, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The Lancet Neurology. 2023 Aug 1;22(8):685-711.
17. Abdulkader Sr MA, Merza MA. Immediate and long-term adverse events of COVID-19 vaccines: a one-year follow-up study from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Cureus. 2023;15(10).
18. Merza M, Mohammed S, Qasim A, Abdulah D. Sero-prevalence and associated risk factors of blood-borne viral infection among healthcare workers of a tertiary referral hospital: a single-center experience. Health Problems of Civilization. 2023;17(1).
19. Rasho FJ, Merza MA. The Impact of Blood Group Phenotypes on COVID-19 Severity and Mortality in Duhok Province: a Prospective Cross-sectional Study. Journal of Contemporary Medical Sciences. 2023 Mar 1;9(2).
20. Abdulkareem FN, Merza MA, Salih AM, Rekani AI. High Isoniazid Preventive Therapy Completion Rate among Household Contacts of Tuberculosis Patients in Duhok Province. Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology. 2023 Jun 1;30(12):366-71.
21. Sulaiman DM, Shaba SS, Almufty HB, Sulaiman AM, Merza MA. Screening the Drug-Drug Interactions Between Antimicrobials and Other Prescribed Medications Using Google Bard and Lexicomp® Online™ Database. Cureus. 2023;15(9).
22. Merza M, Abdulah D, Malo D, Haleem D, Atrushi D. Current status of COVID-19 infection and vaccination coverage, and factors associated with infection acquisition and vaccine uptake. Infect. Dis. Trop. Med. 2023;9:e1062.
23. Almufty HB, Hayhat LS, Abdal WG, Hussein DS, Merza MA. The Magnitude of Dispensing Unprescribed Antibiotics in Community Pharmacies in Duhok Province; Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Journal of Contemporary Medical Sciences. 2023 Mar 1;9(2).
24. Dhirar K, Merza M, Abduljabbar R. Humoral Immunity Response of COVID-19 Vaccine and Adverse Effect Among Solid Cancer Patient: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of Pharmaceutical Negative Results. 2023 Feb 6:561-8.
25. Merza MA, Almufty HB, Younis HA, Rasool SO, Mohammed SA. Memory impairment among recovered COVID‐19 patients: The prevalence and risk factors, a retrospective cohort study. Journal of Medical Virology. 2023 Feb;95(2):e28459.
26. Hussein H, Salih A, Merza M. Prevalence and Outcomes of Diabetes among Covid-19 Patients in Duhok Covid-19 Health Facilities: A Cross-Sectional Study. Health Problems of Civilization. 2022 Dec 24;16(1).
27. Mohammed PA, Merza MA. Characterization of COVID-19 hospitalized adult patients, vaccinated vs non-vaccinated in Duhok province. Journal of Contemporary Medical Sciences. 2022; 8(6). https://doi.org/10.22317/jcms.v8i6.1272
28. Almufty HB, Mamani MM, Ali AH, Merza MA. COVID‐19 vaccine breakthrough infection among fully vaccinated healthcare workers in Duhok governorate, Iraqi Kurdistan: A retrospective cohort study. Journal of Medical Virology. 2022 Jul 10.
29. Abdulkader M, Merza M. The evaluation of COVID-19 vaccination program in Duhok province, Iraqi Kurdistan: challenges and solutions. Journal of Research and Health. 2022 Jun 10;12(4):2-2.
30. Merza MA, Almufty HB. The Omicron variant is striking Iraqi Kurdistan in January 2022: Would preventive measures contain the new wave?. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness.:1-5.
31. Merza MA, Ahmed BD. Capacity building programs for COVID-19 outbreak in Duhok governorate: A short report. World Journal of Advanced Research and Review. 2022.
32. Zaman BA, Rasool SO, Merza MA, Abdulah DM. Hepcidin-to-ferritin ratio: A potential novel index to predict iron overload-liver fibrosis in ß-thalassemia major. Transfusion Clinique et Biologique. 2022 May 1;29(2):153-60.
33. Almufty HB, Mohammed SH, Abdullah AM, Merza MA. Potential adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccines among Iraqi population; a comparison between the three available vaccines in Iraq; a retrospective cross-sectional study. Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsx.2021.102207
34. Merza MA, Aswad SM, Sulaiman HM, Abdulah DM, Rasheed WS, and Taib NI. "Clinical and epidemiological characteristics and outcomes of Coronavirus disease-19 patients in a large longitudinal study." International Journal of Health Sciences 15, no. 4 (2021): 29-41.
35. Merza MA, Abdulah DM, Mohammed HM, Yones AM. Epidemiological Trends of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Iraqi Kurdistan. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness. 2021; 19:1-6.
36. Merza MA, Al Mezori AA, Mohammed HM, Abdulah DM. COVID-19 outbreak in Iraqi Kurdistan: The first report characterizing epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings of the disease. Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2020; 14(4): 547–554. doi: 10.1016/j.dsx.2020.04.047
37. Merza MA. A 5-year experience characterizing the demographic and clinical profile and directly observed treatment short-course treatment outcome in National Tuberculosis Center of Duhok province, Iraqi Kurdistan. SAGE Open Med. 2020; 8: 2050312120921055.
38. Abdulkareem FN, Merza MA, Salih AM. First insight into latent tuberculosis infection among household contacts of tuberculosis patients in Duhok, Iraqi Kurdistan: using tuberculin skin test and QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus test. Int J Infect Dis 2020; 96:97- 104. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.03.067.
39. Merza MA. Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B and C Viruses Among Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Duhok Province, Iraqi Kurdistan. J Family Med Prim Care2020;9(2):642-646. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1158_19.
40. Merza MA, Taha SK, Ibrahim SM, Abdulrahman MR. Significant Association of Thrombocytopenia with Chronic Active Hepatitis B Virus Infection in a tertiary care hospital of an intermediate prevalence HBV country. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2019, 5 (3), 207-211.
41. Almufty HB, Abdulrahman IS, Merza MA. Latent Tuberculosis Infection among Healthcare Workers in Duhok Province: From Screening to Prophylactic Treatment. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease. 2019 Jun; 4(2):85.
42. Merza MA, Adham DK, Yaqo RT. Unusual recurrent skin lesions: Bazin's disease. Int J Community Med Public Health 2019;6:879-882.
43. Merza MA, Savo AS, Jaafer M. Risk of latent tuberculosis infection among diabetic patients in Azadi Teaching Hospital, Duhok province: a case control study. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2018, 4 (2), 227-232.
44. Merza MA, Yousif BM, Younus MK, Omer BM, Ahmed HI. Characteristics of patients with HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B virus infection in Duhok, Kurdistan region. Int J Res Med Sci. 2018, 6(5): 2615-2620
45. Merza MA, Selivany BJ, Aldoski MRN. Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C Viruses among Patients. Who Underwent Dental Interventions in a Dental Care. Units at College of Dentistry, Duhok, Kurdistan. JICJME 2017, 3(6): 1-4.
46. Merza MA, Merza MA, Savo AS, Barwari ZA, et al. (2017). Hepatitis C Virus Infection and the Risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases in Azadi Teaching Hospital, Duhok, Kurdistan. Res Rev Infect Dis 1(2):21-25.
47. Merza MA, Characteristics of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus. Patients Related Liver Cirrhosis in a Tertiary. Care Referral Hospital, Duhok, Iraqi Kurdistan. J Gastroenterol Pancreatol Liver Disord 2017. 4:1-5.
48. Mohammed RA, Salih AM, Mirza MA, Ismail TH, Allam AA. Prognosis of Liver Disorders in Dna Positive Hbv Patients Based on Fuzzy Soft Sets.Science Journal of University of Zakho 2017: 5(1): 112-119.
49. Muter Muhammed, Merza MA, Issa HA, Shaikhow SK. Risk Factors and Angiographic Findings in Patients with LBBB Who Underwent Coronary Angiography in Duhok Heart Center. JMSCR 2016:4(11):14112-14117.
50. Merza MA, Haji SM, Alsharafani AMH, Muhammed SU. Low prevalence of hepatitis B and C among tuberculosis patients in Duhok Province, Kurdistan: Are HBsAg and anti- HCV prerequisite screening parameters in tuberculosis control program? IJMyco.2016; 5(3): 313-317
51. Yadegarynia D, Merza MA, Sali S, Seghatoleslami ZS. Multiple intracranial tuberculomas in a post-kidney transplant patient. Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl. 2016;27(1):135-8
52. Sali Si, Merza MA, Saadat S, Mustafa NH, Queiky F, Yadegarynia D. Seroclearance of Hbsag in Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Patients on Lamivudine Therapy: A 10 Year Experience Glob J Health Sci; 2015: 7(6): 101-104.
53. Sali S, Sharafi H, Alavian SH, Alavian SM, Etesam F, Salimi S, Merza MA, Keshvari M. Can serum level of HBsAg differentiate HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B from inactive carrier state? Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2015.
54. Merza MA. Risk factors for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis of Afghan immigrants in a tertiary care hospitalized tuberculosis patients in Iran. IJCR 2015:7(1):12032-12035.
55. Merza MA, Hassan WM, Muhammad AS. Frequency of HBV and HCV among Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery in a Tertiary Care Referral Hospital in Duhok, Iraqi Kurdistan.JMSCR 2014:2(4):1810-1815.
56. Velayati AA, Merza MA, Frania P. Association of P2X7 gene polymorphisms with chronic hepatitis B virus infection in Duhok, Iraqi Kurdistan. International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied Research (IJSBAR) 2014:16(2): 131-137.
57. Yadegarynia D, Merza MA, Sali Sh, Firuzkuhi AG. A rare case presentation of oral actinomycosis. IJMyco; 2013; 2(3): 187-189.
58. Sali Sh, Merza MA, Yadegarynia D. Occupational Exposure to Blood Borne Viruses Among Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Care Referral Hospital in Tehran. Hepat Mon. 2013. 13(7): e12201. DOI: 10.5812/hepatmon.12201
59. Abdullah SM, Hussein NR, Salih AM, Merza MA, Goreal AA, Odeesh OY, et al. Infection with Helicobacter pylori strains carrying babA2 and cagA is associated with an increased risk of peptic ulcer disease development in Iraq. Arab J Gastroenterol. 2012 Dec;13(4):166-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ajg.2012.12.001. Epub 2013 Jan 8.
60. Rosales S, Jureen P, Zalutskayae A, Skrahina A, Xu B, Hu Y, Pineda-Garcia L, Merza MA, et al. Drug resistance-related mutations in multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from diverse geographical regions. 2012;3:124-130.
61. Merza MA, Jabrial FK, Hussein NR. Intestinal obstruction secondary to primary ileocecal tuberculosis: A case report. IJMyco; 2012; 1(2): 96-98.
62. Merza MA, Salih AM. First insight into the genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains from patients in Duhok, Iraq. IJMyco; 2012 (1)1: 13-20.
63. Velayati AA, Farnia P, Masjedi MR, Zhavnerko GK, Merza MA, Ghanavi J, et al. Sequential adaptation in latent tuberculosis bacilli: observation by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Int J Clin Exp Med; 2011;4(3):193-189. Epub 2011 Sep 15.
64. Sheikholslami M, Farnia P, Tabarsi P, Merza MA, Pooramiri MV, Mohammadi F, et al. Comparison of polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism with DNA sequencing to detect drug resistance of mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates. Iranian Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases 2011; 6(2): 66-70.
65. Merza MA, Farnia P, Tabarsi P, Kazampour M, Masjedi MR, Velayati AA. Anti-tuberculosis drug resistance and associated risk factors in a tertiary level TB center in Iran: a retrospective analysis. J Infect Dev Ctries 2011; 5(7):511-519.
66. Merza MA, Farnia P, Salih AM, Masjedi MR, Velayati AA. First insight into the drug resistance pattern of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Dohuk, Iraq: using spoligotyping and MIRU-VNTR to characterize multidrug resistant strains. J Infect Public Health 2011;4:41-47.
67. Velayati AA, Farnia P, Merza MA, Zhavnerko GK, Tabarsi P, Titov LP, et al. New insight into extremely drug-resistant tuberculosis: using atomic force microscopy. Eur Respir J; 2010;36(6):1490-1493.
68. Farnia P, Mohammad RM, Merza MA, Tabarsi P, Zhavnerko GK, Ibrahim TA, et al. Growth and cell-division in extensive (XDR) and extremely drug resistant (XXDR) tuberculosis strains: transmission and atomic force observation. Int J Clin Exp Med 2010;3:308-314.
69. Merza MA, Farnia P, Salih AM, Masjedi MR, Velayati AA. The most predominant Spoligopatterns of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates among Iranian, Afghan- Immigrant, Pakistani and Turkish tuberculosis patients: a comparative analysis. Chemotherapy 2010;56:248-257.
70. Merza MA, Farnia P, Masjedi MR, Ridell M. Anti-tuberculosis drug resistance in Duhok, Iraq. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2010;14:1213-1214.
71. Tabarsi P, Merza MA, Marjani M. Active pulmonary tuberculosis manifesting with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: a rare presentation. Braz J Infect Dis 2010;14:639- 640.
72. Merza M, Masjedi MR. Extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR) and extremely drug-resistant tuberculosis (XXDR): risk factors and molecular perspectives. Iranian Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases 2010; 5(3):174-188.
73. Salih AM, Merza MA. Risk factors for multidrug resistant tuberculosis: a review. Duhok Med J 2010; 4(2):1-7.
74. Jafarian M, Aghali-Merza M, Farnia P, Ahmadi M, Masjedi MR, Velayati AA. Synchronous Comparison of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Epidemiology Strains by "MIRU-VNTR" and "MIRU-VNTR and Spoligotyping" Technique. Avicenna J Med Biotechnol. 2010 Jul;2(3):145-52.
75. Merza M, Farnia P, Anoosheh S, Varahram M, Kazampour M, Pajand O et al. The NRAMPI, VDR and TNF-alpha gene polymorphisms in Iranian tuberculosis patients: the study on host susceptibility. Braz J Infect Dis 2009; 13:252-256.
76. Varahram M, Farnia P, Anoosheh S, Kazampour M, Merza M, Saeif S, et al. The VDR and TNF-α gene polymorphisms in Iranian tuberculosis patients: The study on host susceptibility. Iranian Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases 2009;4:207-213.
Tuberculosis, Viral hepatitis, Human Immunodeficiency virus, COVID-19, Liver Diseases
Supervising over ten postgraduate students across various degree programs, including Master's, PhD, and Board certification in internal medicine.
- MBChB
- MSc
- PhD
- PDipID
- FRCP (Glasg)
1. Sirota, S.B., et al., Global burden of lower respiratory infections and aetiologies, 1990–2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023. The Lancet infectious diseases, 2026. 26(4): p. 343-361.
2. Sirota, S.B., et al., Global, regional, and national burden of meningitis, its risk factors, and aetiologies, 1990–2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023. The Lancet Neurology, 2026. 25(5): p. 451-468.
3. Vongpradith, A., et al., Global burden of enteric infectious diseases, diarrhoeal diseases, and corresponding aetiologies, 1990–2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 2026.
4. Mestrovic, T., et al., The burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region 1990–2021: a cross-country systematic analysis with forecasts to 2050. The Lancet Public Health, 2025. 10(11): p. e955-e970.
5. Al-Noori, Aleen Sardar, Ahmed Mohamed Salih, and Muayad Aghali Merza. "Vaccination and vitamin D in relation to disease severity and mortality in patients with COVID-19 disease: a follow-up study." Cellular and Molecular Biology 71.11 (2025): 100-108.
6. Al-Noori, Aleen Sardar, Ahmed Mohamed Salih, and Muayad Aghali Merza. "Characterization of COVID-19 patients in clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory settings: the role of vitamin D binding protein and vitamin D level in severity." Cellular and Molecular Biology 71.12 (2025): 39-48.
7. Mohammad, F.K., G.A. Raouf, and M.A. Merza, Meta-analysis of decreased serum cholinesterase activity in COVID-19. Health Biotechnology and Biopharma (HBB), 2025. 9(1): p. 99-121.
8. Salih S.M. et al., Knowledge, conception and attitude toward HBV and HCV among dentists in Duhok province; Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Duhok Medical Journal. 2024. 18(2).
9. Taher, S., J. Abdo, and M. Merza, The surveillance of spike protein mutations of SARS-COV-2 omicron subvariant isolated from Duhok province, Iraq. Lifelong DentoMedical Health, 2024. 1(1): p. 07-15.
10. Taher S, Abdo J, Merza M. The surveillance of spike protein mutations of SARS-COV-2 omicron subvariant isolated from Duhok province, Iraq. Journal of Lifelong DentoMedical Health. 2024 Jun 15;1(1):07-13.
11. Raouf GA, Mohammad FK, Merza MA. The Potential Risk of Reduced Serum Cholinesterase Activity in COVID-19 Patients Suffering From Cytokine Storm. Cureus. 2024 May;16(5).
12. Ledesma JR, Ma J, Zhang M, Basting AV, Chu HT, Vongpradith A, Novotney A, LeGrand KE, Xu YY, Dai X, Nicholson SI. Global, regional, and national age-specific progress towards the 2020 milestones of the WHO End TB Strategy: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. 2024 Jan 1.
13. Taher SM, Abdo JM, Merza MA. Phylogenetic, Sequencing, and Mutation Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (BA. 1) and Its Subvariants (BA. 1.1, BA. 2) During the Fifth Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. Cureus. 2023;15(11).
14. Taha SK, Abd KH, Abdulkareem FN, Saleem ZS, Almukhtar SE, Merza MA. Clinico-demographic and microbiological profile of acute pyelonephritis in Azadi Teaching Hospital, Duhok province, Iraqi Kurdistan.
15. Raouf GA, Mohammad FK, Merza MA, Raouf G. Polypharmacy and the In Silico Prediction of Potential Body Proteins Targeted by These Drugs Among Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients With Cytokine Storm. Cureus. 2023 Nov 15;15(11).
16. Wunrow HY, Bender RG, Vongpradith A, Sirota SB, Swetschinski LR, Novotney A, Gray AP, Ikuta KS, Sharara F, Wool EE, Aali A. Global, regional, and national burden of meningitis and its aetiologies, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The Lancet Neurology. 2023 Aug 1;22(8):685-711.
17. Abdulkader Sr MA, Merza MA. Immediate and long-term adverse events of COVID-19 vaccines: a one-year follow-up study from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Cureus. 2023;15(10).
18. Merza M, Mohammed S, Qasim A, Abdulah D. Sero-prevalence and associated risk factors of blood-borne viral infection among healthcare workers of a tertiary referral hospital: a single-center experience. Health Problems of Civilization. 2023;17(1).
19. Rasho FJ, Merza MA. The Impact of Blood Group Phenotypes on COVID-19 Severity and Mortality in Duhok Province: a Prospective Cross-sectional Study. Journal of Contemporary Medical Sciences. 2023 Mar 1;9(2).
20. Abdulkareem FN, Merza MA, Salih AM, Rekani AI. High Isoniazid Preventive Therapy Completion Rate among Household Contacts of Tuberculosis Patients in Duhok Province. Journal of Population Therapeutics and Clinical Pharmacology. 2023 Jun 1;30(12):366-71.
21. Sulaiman DM, Shaba SS, Almufty HB, Sulaiman AM, Merza MA. Screening the Drug-Drug Interactions Between Antimicrobials and Other Prescribed Medications Using Google Bard and Lexicomp® Online™ Database. Cureus. 2023;15(9).
22. Merza M, Abdulah D, Malo D, Haleem D, Atrushi D. Current status of COVID-19 infection and vaccination coverage, and factors associated with infection acquisition and vaccine uptake. Infect. Dis. Trop. Med. 2023;9:e1062.
23. Almufty HB, Hayhat LS, Abdal WG, Hussein DS, Merza MA. The Magnitude of Dispensing Unprescribed Antibiotics in Community Pharmacies in Duhok Province; Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Journal of Contemporary Medical Sciences. 2023 Mar 1;9(2).
24. Dhirar K, Merza M, Abduljabbar R. Humoral Immunity Response of COVID-19 Vaccine and Adverse Effect Among Solid Cancer Patient: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of Pharmaceutical Negative Results. 2023 Feb 6:561-8.
25. Merza MA, Almufty HB, Younis HA, Rasool SO, Mohammed SA. Memory impairment among recovered COVID‐19 patients: The prevalence and risk factors, a retrospective cohort study. Journal of Medical Virology. 2023 Feb;95(2):e28459.
26. Hussein H, Salih A, Merza M. Prevalence and Outcomes of Diabetes among Covid-19 Patients in Duhok Covid-19 Health Facilities: A Cross-Sectional Study. Health Problems of Civilization. 2022 Dec 24;16(1).
27. Mohammed PA, Merza MA. Characterization of COVID-19 hospitalized adult patients, vaccinated vs non-vaccinated in Duhok province. Journal of Contemporary Medical Sciences. 2022; 8(6). https://doi.org/10.22317/jcms.v8i6.1272
28. Almufty HB, Mamani MM, Ali AH, Merza MA. COVID‐19 vaccine breakthrough infection among fully vaccinated healthcare workers in Duhok governorate, Iraqi Kurdistan: A retrospective cohort study. Journal of Medical Virology. 2022 Jul 10.
29. Abdulkader M, Merza M. The evaluation of COVID-19 vaccination program in Duhok province, Iraqi Kurdistan: challenges and solutions. Journal of Research and Health. 2022 Jun 10;12(4):2-2.
30. Merza MA, Almufty HB. The Omicron variant is striking Iraqi Kurdistan in January 2022: Would preventive measures contain the new wave?. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness.:1-5.
31. Merza MA, Ahmed BD. Capacity building programs for COVID-19 outbreak in Duhok governorate: A short report. World Journal of Advanced Research and Review. 2022.
32. Zaman BA, Rasool SO, Merza MA, Abdulah DM. Hepcidin-to-ferritin ratio: A potential novel index to predict iron overload-liver fibrosis in ß-thalassemia major. Transfusion Clinique et Biologique. 2022 May 1;29(2):153-60.
33. Almufty HB, Mohammed SH, Abdullah AM, Merza MA. Potential adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccines among Iraqi population; a comparison between the three available vaccines in Iraq; a retrospective cross-sectional study. Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsx.2021.102207
34. Merza MA, Aswad SM, Sulaiman HM, Abdulah DM, Rasheed WS, and Taib NI. "Clinical and epidemiological characteristics and outcomes of Coronavirus disease-19 patients in a large longitudinal study." International Journal of Health Sciences 15, no. 4 (2021): 29-41.
35. Merza MA, Abdulah DM, Mohammed HM, Yones AM. Epidemiological Trends of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Iraqi Kurdistan. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness. 2021; 19:1-6.
36. Merza MA, Al Mezori AA, Mohammed HM, Abdulah DM. COVID-19 outbreak in Iraqi Kurdistan: The first report characterizing epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings of the disease. Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2020; 14(4): 547–554. doi: 10.1016/j.dsx.2020.04.047
37. Merza MA. A 5-year experience characterizing the demographic and clinical profile and directly observed treatment short-course treatment outcome in National Tuberculosis Center of Duhok province, Iraqi Kurdistan. SAGE Open Med. 2020; 8: 2050312120921055.
38. Abdulkareem FN, Merza MA, Salih AM. First insight into latent tuberculosis infection among household contacts of tuberculosis patients in Duhok, Iraqi Kurdistan: using tuberculin skin test and QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus test. Int J Infect Dis 2020; 96:97- 104. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.03.067.
39. Merza MA. Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Hepatitis B and C Viruses Among Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Duhok Province, Iraqi Kurdistan. J Family Med Prim Care2020;9(2):642-646. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1158_19.
40. Merza MA, Taha SK, Ibrahim SM, Abdulrahman MR. Significant Association of Thrombocytopenia with Chronic Active Hepatitis B Virus Infection in a tertiary care hospital of an intermediate prevalence HBV country. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2019, 5 (3), 207-211.
41. Almufty HB, Abdulrahman IS, Merza MA. Latent Tuberculosis Infection among Healthcare Workers in Duhok Province: From Screening to Prophylactic Treatment. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease. 2019 Jun; 4(2):85.
42. Merza MA, Adham DK, Yaqo RT. Unusual recurrent skin lesions: Bazin's disease. Int J Community Med Public Health 2019;6:879-882.
43. Merza MA, Savo AS, Jaafer M. Risk of latent tuberculosis infection among diabetic patients in Azadi Teaching Hospital, Duhok province: a case control study. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2018, 4 (2), 227-232.
44. Merza MA, Yousif BM, Younus MK, Omer BM, Ahmed HI. Characteristics of patients with HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B virus infection in Duhok, Kurdistan region. Int J Res Med Sci. 2018, 6(5): 2615-2620
45. Merza MA, Selivany BJ, Aldoski MRN. Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C Viruses among Patients. Who Underwent Dental Interventions in a Dental Care. Units at College of Dentistry, Duhok, Kurdistan. JICJME 2017, 3(6): 1-4.
46. Merza MA, Merza MA, Savo AS, Barwari ZA, et al. (2017). Hepatitis C Virus Infection and the Risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases in Azadi Teaching Hospital, Duhok, Kurdistan. Res Rev Infect Dis 1(2):21-25.
47. Merza MA, Characteristics of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus. Patients Related Liver Cirrhosis in a Tertiary. Care Referral Hospital, Duhok, Iraqi Kurdistan. J Gastroenterol Pancreatol Liver Disord 2017. 4:1-5.
48. Mohammed RA, Salih AM, Mirza MA, Ismail TH, Allam AA. Prognosis of Liver Disorders in Dna Positive Hbv Patients Based on Fuzzy Soft Sets.Science Journal of University of Zakho 2017: 5(1): 112-119.
49. Muter Muhammed, Merza MA, Issa HA, Shaikhow SK. Risk Factors and Angiographic Findings in Patients with LBBB Who Underwent Coronary Angiography in Duhok Heart Center. JMSCR 2016:4(11):14112-14117.
50. Merza MA, Haji SM, Alsharafani AMH, Muhammed SU. Low prevalence of hepatitis B and C among tuberculosis patients in Duhok Province, Kurdistan: Are HBsAg and anti- HCV prerequisite screening parameters in tuberculosis control program? IJMyco.2016; 5(3): 313-317
51. Yadegarynia D, Merza MA, Sali S, Seghatoleslami ZS. Multiple intracranial tuberculomas in a post-kidney transplant patient. Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl. 2016;27(1):135-8
52. Sali Si, Merza MA, Saadat S, Mustafa NH, Queiky F, Yadegarynia D. Seroclearance of Hbsag in Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Patients on Lamivudine Therapy: A 10 Year Experience Glob J Health Sci; 2015: 7(6): 101-104.
53. Sali S, Sharafi H, Alavian SH, Alavian SM, Etesam F, Salimi S, Merza MA, Keshvari M. Can serum level of HBsAg differentiate HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B from inactive carrier state? Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2015.
54. Merza MA. Risk factors for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis of Afghan immigrants in a tertiary care hospitalized tuberculosis patients in Iran. IJCR 2015:7(1):12032-12035.
55. Merza MA, Hassan WM, Muhammad AS. Frequency of HBV and HCV among Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery in a Tertiary Care Referral Hospital in Duhok, Iraqi Kurdistan.JMSCR 2014:2(4):1810-1815.
56. Velayati AA, Merza MA, Frania P. Association of P2X7 gene polymorphisms with chronic hepatitis B virus infection in Duhok, Iraqi Kurdistan. International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied Research (IJSBAR) 2014:16(2): 131-137.
57. Yadegarynia D, Merza MA, Sali Sh, Firuzkuhi AG. A rare case presentation of oral actinomycosis. IJMyco; 2013; 2(3): 187-189.
58. Sali Sh, Merza MA, Yadegarynia D. Occupational Exposure to Blood Borne Viruses Among Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Care Referral Hospital in Tehran. Hepat Mon. 2013. 13(7): e12201. DOI: 10.5812/hepatmon.12201
59. Abdullah SM, Hussein NR, Salih AM, Merza MA, Goreal AA, Odeesh OY, et al. Infection with Helicobacter pylori strains carrying babA2 and cagA is associated with an increased risk of peptic ulcer disease development in Iraq. Arab J Gastroenterol. 2012 Dec;13(4):166-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ajg.2012.12.001. Epub 2013 Jan 8.
60. Rosales S, Jureen P, Zalutskayae A, Skrahina A, Xu B, Hu Y, Pineda-Garcia L, Merza MA, et al. Drug resistance-related mutations in multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from diverse geographical regions. 2012;3:124-130.
61. Merza MA, Jabrial FK, Hussein NR. Intestinal obstruction secondary to primary ileocecal tuberculosis: A case report. IJMyco; 2012; 1(2): 96-98.
62. Merza MA, Salih AM. First insight into the genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains from patients in Duhok, Iraq. IJMyco; 2012 (1)1: 13-20.
63. Velayati AA, Farnia P, Masjedi MR, Zhavnerko GK, Merza MA, Ghanavi J, et al. Sequential adaptation in latent tuberculosis bacilli: observation by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Int J Clin Exp Med; 2011;4(3):193-189. Epub 2011 Sep 15.
64. Sheikholslami M, Farnia P, Tabarsi P, Merza MA, Pooramiri MV, Mohammadi F, et al. Comparison of polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism with DNA sequencing to detect drug resistance of mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates. Iranian Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases 2011; 6(2): 66-70.
65. Merza MA, Farnia P, Tabarsi P, Kazampour M, Masjedi MR, Velayati AA. Anti-tuberculosis drug resistance and associated risk factors in a tertiary level TB center in Iran: a retrospective analysis. J Infect Dev Ctries 2011; 5(7):511-519.
66. Merza MA, Farnia P, Salih AM, Masjedi MR, Velayati AA. First insight into the drug resistance pattern of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Dohuk, Iraq: using spoligotyping and MIRU-VNTR to characterize multidrug resistant strains. J Infect Public Health 2011;4:41-47.
67. Velayati AA, Farnia P, Merza MA, Zhavnerko GK, Tabarsi P, Titov LP, et al. New insight into extremely drug-resistant tuberculosis: using atomic force microscopy. Eur Respir J; 2010;36(6):1490-1493.
68. Farnia P, Mohammad RM, Merza MA, Tabarsi P, Zhavnerko GK, Ibrahim TA, et al. Growth and cell-division in extensive (XDR) and extremely drug resistant (XXDR) tuberculosis strains: transmission and atomic force observation. Int J Clin Exp Med 2010;3:308-314.
69. Merza MA, Farnia P, Salih AM, Masjedi MR, Velayati AA. The most predominant Spoligopatterns of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates among Iranian, Afghan- Immigrant, Pakistani and Turkish tuberculosis patients: a comparative analysis. Chemotherapy 2010;56:248-257.
70. Merza MA, Farnia P, Masjedi MR, Ridell M. Anti-tuberculosis drug resistance in Duhok, Iraq. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2010;14:1213-1214.
71. Tabarsi P, Merza MA, Marjani M. Active pulmonary tuberculosis manifesting with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura: a rare presentation. Braz J Infect Dis 2010;14:639- 640.
72. Merza M, Masjedi MR. Extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR) and extremely drug-resistant tuberculosis (XXDR): risk factors and molecular perspectives. Iranian Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases 2010; 5(3):174-188.
73. Salih AM, Merza MA. Risk factors for multidrug resistant tuberculosis: a review. Duhok Med J 2010; 4(2):1-7.
74. Jafarian M, Aghali-Merza M, Farnia P, Ahmadi M, Masjedi MR, Velayati AA. Synchronous Comparison of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Epidemiology Strains by "MIRU-VNTR" and "MIRU-VNTR and Spoligotyping" Technique. Avicenna J Med Biotechnol. 2010 Jul;2(3):145-52.
75. Merza M, Farnia P, Anoosheh S, Varahram M, Kazampour M, Pajand O et al. The NRAMPI, VDR and TNF-alpha gene polymorphisms in Iranian tuberculosis patients: the study on host susceptibility. Braz J Infect Dis 2009; 13:252-256.
76. Varahram M, Farnia P, Anoosheh S, Kazampour M, Merza M, Saeif S, et al. The VDR and TNF-α gene polymorphisms in Iranian tuberculosis patients: The study on host susceptibility. Iranian Journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases 2009;4:207-213.
Tuberculosis, Viral hepatitis, Human Immunodeficiency virus, COVID-19, Liver Diseases
Extensive experience in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. I teaches infectious diseases, internal medicine, and clinical medicine using evidence-based and student-centered approaches. My teaching combines classroom lectures with bedside clinical training to strengthen students' diagnostic and clinical decision-making skills. I am actively involved in supervising medical, MSc, and PhD students in clinical research and thesis projects. I contributed to curriculum development and the modernization of medical education through competency-based teaching methods. I regularly prepare and evaluates written examinations, MCQs, OSCEs, and oral assessments. I have organized and delivered numerous workshops and continuing medical education programs for healthcare professionals. My teaching emphasizes professionalism, ethical practice, critical thinking, and lifelong learning. I integrate current research findings into his teaching to promote evidence-based clinical practice. Through my academic and clinical mentorship, I played an important role in developing the next generation of physicians and researchers
Supervising over ten postgraduate students across various degree programs, including Master's, PhD, and Board certification in internal medicine.
I am actively engaged in clinical practice, medical education, research, and academic leadership in the field of infectious diseases. I provide specialist clinical care for patients with complex infectious diseases while teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students at the University of Duhok. My research focuses on tuberculosis, viral hepatitis, HIV, antimicrobial resistance, and emerging infectious diseases, and I have published extensively in peer-reviewed international journals. I supervise MSc and PhD students and collaborate with national and international researchers on multidisciplinary projects. I regularly organize and deliver scientific conferences, workshops, and continuing medical education programs for physicians and healthcare professionals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I led educational activities and professional training on disease management and infection prevention and control. I have contributed to curriculum development, assessment, and quality improvement in medical education, including participation in international Erasmus+ capacity-building initiatives. I have served in academic leadership positions, including Dean of the College of Pharmacy, and have been actively involved in university governance and institutional development. I also promote international academic collaboration to strengthen medical education, clinical services, and research capacity. Through my clinical practice, teaching, research, and leadership activities, I strive to advance infectious disease care and improve healthcare education in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq