Lewyt College of Veterinary Medicine

ABOUT

Reta Duguma Abdi, DVM, PhD, FRSB

Associate Professor

Email: Reta.Abdi@liu.edu

Dr. Reta Abdi earned his DVM from Addis Ababa University (AAU), an MSc from the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Belgium, and a PhD from Ghent University, Belgium. His master’s research profiled gene expressions of Theileria annulata (“cancer-causing” protozoal parasites of bovine leukocytes) during its attenuation for vaccine development, while his PhD focused on vector-borne diseases, exploring tsetse fly factors affecting Trypanosoma transmission and developing an anti-tsetse fly saliva ELISA test for disease surveillance.

After earning his DVM, Dr. Abdi began his veterinary career at the Oromia Agricultural Research Institute’s Bako Center, providing large animal health services and conducting research, then joined the Federal Avian Research Center in Debre Zeit to study Marek’s (“cancer-causing” virus) and Newcastle diseases, advance vaccine development, and provide poultry health services. He then joined his alma mater, AAU, where he studied ecology and epidemiology of infectious diseases of animals, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles, and associated public health risks, while teaching multiple veterinary courses (Preventive Medicine and Herd Health, Large Animal Medicine, and Veterinary Clinical Diagnosis). From 2016 to 2018, he was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, studying ecology and phylogenetics of AMR bacteria and bacterial surface proteins as potential vaccine candidates for bovine mastitis.

Since 2018, Dr. Abdi has been a faculty member at LIU’s Lewyt College of Veterinary Medicine. He recognizes that pathogens are rapidly evolving, with virulent and drug-resistant strains emerging under the selective pressure of antimicrobial use, immunization, mobile genetic elements, and mutations, posing a major global threat to animal health, public health, and food safety. Through the application of genomic, molecular, epidemiological, and cell biology methodologies, his research addresses the ecology, epidemiology, and phylogenetics of virulent and AMR pathogens. His work examines how evolving pathogen strains alter host–pathogen interactions, the host microbiome, virulence factors, and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, with the aim of identifying diagnostic markers, therapeutic targets, and vaccine candidates, while also exploring natural resources as alternatives to conventional antimicrobials. In addition to his research, he also teaches Bacteriology & Mycology, Public Health & Food Safety, and Integration courses.

With over a decade of experience in higher education, he has taught multiple veterinary courses, mentored DVM, MSc, and PhD students, and served on dissertation committees. He has published 80+ papers, secured competitive grants, reviewed articles for top journals (BMC, ELSEVIER, Taylor & Francis, etc.), and is a member of AAFSPHV, CRWAD, LIVMA, and USAVRCN. Dr. Abdi has been elected by resolution of the Council as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (FRSB), UK. 

Publications (Selected manuscripts)

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  • Abdi, R., Datta, S., Zawar, A., and Kafle, P. (2025). Evaluation of extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing bacteria in feces of shelter dogs as a biomarker for altered gut microbial taxa and functional profiles. Frontiers in Microbiology Volume 16 - 2025. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1556442.
  • Inzana, T. J., Cao, D., Abdi, R., Hemida, M. G., Jeon, S. J., Mahmmod, Y., & Tang, X. (2025). Research diversity in infectious and immunological diseases at Long Island University College of Veterinary Medicine. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 86(3), ajvr.25.01.0009. Retrieved Apr 25, 2025, from https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.25.01.0009.
  • Harshul Sink, Bryan Gibb, and Reta D Abdi (2024). Abundance and diversity of methicillin-resistant bacteria from bathroom surfaces at workplace using CHROMagar media,16S, and dnaJ gene sequence typing. International Journal of Molecular Epidemiology and Genetics;15(2): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11087278/
  • Fikru Gizaw, Tolera Kekeba, Fikadu Teshome, Matewos Kebede, Tekeste Abreham, Halefom Hishe Berhe, Dinka Ayana, Bedaso Mammo Edao, Hika Waktole, Takele Beyene Tufa, Fufa Abunna, Ashenafi Feyisa Beyi, and Reta Duguma Abdi. 2023. Multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains thrive in dairy and beef production, processing, and supply lines in five geo-graphical areas in Ethiopia. Veterinary Sciences. 10(12), 663; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10120663. 
  • Fanta D. Gutema, Lieven De Zutter, Denis Piérard, Bruno Hinckel, Hideo Imamura, Geertrui Rasschaert, Reta D. Abdi, Getahun E. Agga, Florence Crombé (2023). Core Genome Sequencing Analysis of E. coli O157:H7 Unravelling Genetic Relatedness among Strains from Cattle, Beef, and Humans in Bishoftu, Ethiopia. Microbiol. Res. 14(1), 148-160; https://www.mdpi.com/2036-7481/14/1/13.  
  • Alemu YF, Jemberu WT, Mekuriaw Z, Abdi RD 2022. Incidence and predictors of calf morbidity and mortality from birth to 6-months of age in dairy farms of Northwestern Ethiopia. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2022;9. 10.3389/fvets.2022.859401.
  • Gutema FD, Abdi RD, Agga GE, Firew S, Rasschaert G, Mattheus W, Crombe F, Duchateau L, Gabriël S, and De Zutter L. (2021). Assessment of beef carcass contamination with Salmonella and E. coli O 157 in slaughterhouses in Bishoftu, Ethiopia. International Journal of Food Contamination 8(1):3. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40550-021-00082-1.
  • Gutema FD, Agga GE, Abdi RD, Alemnesh Jufare, Duchateau L, De Zutter L, Gabriël S, 2021. Assessment of hygienic practices in beef slaughterhouses and retail shops in Bishoftu, Ethiopia: Implications for public health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18(5), 2729; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052729.
  • Gutema FD, Rasschaert G, Agga GE, Merera O, Duguma AB, Abdi RD, Duchateau L, Mattheus W, Gabriël S, De Zutter L 2021. Prevalence, molecular characteristics, and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella in cattle, beef, and humans in Bishoftu town, Ethiopia. Foodborne Pathogens and Diseases 18 (4) https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/fpd.2020.2869.
  • Abdi RD, Gillespie BE, Ivey S, Pighetti GM, Almeida RA, Kerro Dego O. 2021. Antimicrobial resistance of major bacterial pathogens from dairy cows with high somatic cell count and clinical mastitis. Animals, 11(1), 131; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11010131.
  • Gutema FD, Yohannes GW, Abdi RD, Abuna F, Ayana D, Waktole H, Amenu K, Hiko A, Agga GE. Dipylidium caninum infection in dogs and humans in Bishoftu Town, Ethiopia. Diseases. 2021; 9(1):1. https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9721/9/1/1
  • Gutema FD, Rasschaert G, Agga GE, Jufare A, Duguma AB, Abdi RD, Duchateau L, Crombe F, Gabriël S, De Zutter L (2020). Occurrence, molecular characteristics, and antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli O157 in cattle, beef, and humans in Bishoftu town, Central Ethiopia. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease.  https://doi.org/10.1089/fpd.2020.2830.
  • Gutema FD, Shiberu T, Agga GE, Abdi RD, Hiko A, Tufa TB, Hailu Y (2020). Bovine cysticercosis and human taeniasis in a rural community in Ethiopia. Zoonoses and Public Health 67: 525– 533. https://doi.org/10.1111/zph.12716.
  • Vaughn JM, Abdi RD, Gillespie BE, Kerro Dego O (2020). Genetic diversity and virulence characteristics of Staphylococcus aureus isolate from cases of bovine mastitis. Microbial Pathogenesis, 144:104171 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micpath.2020.104171.
  • Gizaw F, Kekeba T, Teshome F, Kebede M, Abreham T, Hayishe H, Waktole H, Tufa TB, Edao BM, Ayana D Abunna F, Beyi AF, Abdi RD (2020). Distribution and antimicrobial resistance profile of coagulase-negative Staphylococci from cattle, equipment, and personnel on dairy farm and abattoir settings. Heliyon, 6(3):e03606 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03606.
  • Alemu B, Gari G, Libeau G, Kwiatek O, Kidane M, Belayneh R, Siraw B, Wieland B, Asfaw W, Abdi RD (2019). Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of peste des petits ruminants virus circulating in small ruminants in eastern Amhara region, Ethiopia. BMC Veterinary Research, 15, 84. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-019-1828-6.
  • Aregawi WG, Agga GE, Abdi RD, Büscher P (2019). Systematic review and meta-analysis on the global distribution, host range, and prevalence of Trypanosoma evansi. Parasites & Vectors, 12(1):67. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-019-3311-4.
  • Abdi RD, Dunlap JR, Gillespie BE, Ensermu DB, Almeida RA, Kerro Dego O (2019). Comparison of Staphylococcus aureus surface protein extraction methods and immunogenicity. Heliyon, 5(10):e02528. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02528
  • Merrill C, Ensermu DB, Abdi RD, Gillespie BE, Vaughn J, Headrick SI, Hash K, Walker TB, Stone E, Kerro Dego O (2019). Immunological responses and evaluation of the protection in dairy cows vaccinated with Staphylococcal surface proteins. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 214, 109890. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetimm.2019.109890.
  • Abdi, RD, and Kerro Dego O (2019). Antimicrobial activity of Persecaria pensylvanicum extract against Staphylococcus aureus. European Journal of Integrative Medicine 29, 100921. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim.2019.05.007.
  • Gutema FD, Agga GE, De Zutter L, Abdi RD, De Zutter L, Duchateau L, Gabriël S (2019). Prevalence and serotype diversity of Salmonella in apparently healthy cattle: Systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies, 2000–2017. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 6:102. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2019.00102.
  • Messele YE, Abdi RD, Tegegne DT, Bora SK, Babura MD, Emeru BA, Werid GM (2018). Analysis of milk-derived isolates of E. coli indicating drug resistance in central Ethiopia. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 51(3):661-667. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-018-1737-x.
  • Aregawi WG, Agga GE, Gishe J, Abdi RD (2018). Seroprevalence and participatory epidemiology of camelpox in Afar region of Ethiopia. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 161, 25-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2018.10.003
  • Abdi RD, Vaughn J, Merrill C, Gillespie BE, Almeida RA, Headrick SI, Pighetti GM, Oliver SP, Kerro Dego O (2018). Antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from dairy cows and genetic diversity of resistant isolates. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease, 15(7):449-458. https://doi.org/10.1089/fpd.2017.2362
  • Abdi RD, Agga GE, Aregawi WG, Bekana M, Van Leeuwen T, Delespaux V, Duchateau L (2017). A systematic review and meta-analysis of trypanosome prevalence in tsetse flies. BMC Veterinary Research, 13(1):100. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-017-1012-9.
  • Kerro Dego O, Almeida RA, Saxton AM, Abdi RD, Ensermu DB, Oliver SP (2017). Bovine intramammary infection associated immunogenic surface proteins of Streptococcus uberis. Microbial Pathogenesis 115, 304-311. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micpath.2017.12.046
  • Beyene T, Hayishe H, Gizaw F, Waktole H, Abunna F, Beyi AF, Mamo B, Ayana D, Duguma R (2017). Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance profile of Staphylococcus in dairy farms, abattoir and humans in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. BMC Research Notes, 10(1):171. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-017-2487-y.
  • Messele YE, Abdi R, Yalew ST, Tegegne DT, Emeru EA, Werid GM (2017). Molecular determination of antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli isolated from raw meat in Addis Ababa and Bishoftu, Ethiopia. Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials, 16(1):55. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12941-017-0233-x.
  • Abdi RD, Mengstie F, Beyi AF, Beyene T, Waktole H, Mamo B, Ayana D, Abunna F (2017). Determination of the sources and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Salmonella isolated from the poultry industry in southern Ethiopia. BMC Infectious Diseases, 17(1):352. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-017-2437-2.
  • Reta D Abdi, Getahun E Agga, Weldegebrial G Aregawi , Merga Bekana, Thomas Van Leeuwen, Vincent Delespaux, Luc Duchateau (2017). A systematic review and meta-analysis of trypanosome prevalence in tsetse flies. BMC Vet Res 13, 100 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-017-1012-9
  • Berhe K, Weldeselassie G, Bettridge J, Christley R, Abdi RD (2017). Small ruminant pasteurellosis in Tigray region, Ethiopia: marked serotype diversity may affect vaccine efficacy. Epidemiology and Infection 145(7), 1326-1338. https://doi.org/10.1017/S095026881600337X.
  • Asgedom, H., Damena, D. & Duguma, R. (2016). Seroprevalence of bovine brucellosis and associated risk factors in and around Alage district, Ethiopia. SpringerPlus 5, 851. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40064-016-2547-0.
  • Reta D. Abdi, Kasahun Amsalu, Olana Merera, Yilkal Asfaw, Eseyas Gelaye, Marta Yami & Teshale Sori (2016). Serological response and protection level evaluation in chickens exposed to grains coated with I2 Newcastle disease virus for effective oral vaccination of village chickens. BMC Vet Res 12, 150 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-016-0785-6.
  • Reta Duguma, Sanbata Tasew, Abebe Olani, Delesa Damena, Dereje Alemu, Tesefaye Mulatu, Yoseph Alemayehu, Moti Yohannes, Merga Bekana, Antje Hoppenheit, Emmanuel Abatih, Tibebu Habtewold, Vincent Delespaux and Luc Duchateau (2015). A study of the spatial distribution of Glossina sp. and Trypanosoma sp. in south-western Ethiopia. Parasites and Vectors, 8:430. https://parasitesandvectors.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13071-015-1041-9
  • Endrias Zewdu, Gebregergis Tesfamariam, Yenus H.A., Reta Duguma, Getachew Tilahun, Vincenzo Di Marco and Maria Vitale (2015). Sero-epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in free-range chickens (Gallus domesticus) of Central Ethiopia. Epidemiology and Infection 143(03): 608-617. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24763135.
  • Endrias Zewdu, Gebregergs Tesfamaryam, Reta Duguma, Getachew Tilahun, Vincenzo Di Marco, Maria Vitale (2014). Majority of T. gondii seropositive chickens (Gallus domesticus) in Central Ethiopia carries the infective parasite. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica, 56:60. https://actavetscand.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13028-014-0060-4.
  • Guy Caljon, Reta Duguma, Reginald De Deken, Stijn Schauvliege, Frank Gasthuys, Luc Duchateau and Jan Van Den Abbeele (2014). Serological responses and biomarker evaluation in mice and pigs exposed to tsetse fly bites. PLoS Neglected Tropical Disease 8(5): e2911. http://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0002911.
  • Bersissa Kumsa, Manuela Signorini, Teshale Sori, Cinzia Tessarinn, Reta Duguma, Dinka Ayana, Marco Martini and Rudi Cassini (2014). Molecular detection of piroplasms in ixodid ticks infesting cattle and sheep in western Oromia, Ethiopia. Tropical Animal Health and Production 46:27–31. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23846769.