Alpacas and Llamas Identified as New Reservoirs for Drug-Resistant Foodborne Pathogens in Germany

New research identifies South American camelids in Germany as carriers of drug-resistant Campylobacter. Learn how this discovery impacts European food safety.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 29, 2026, 4:15 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from EurekAlert

Emerging Livestock Trends Reveal New Pathways for Zoonotic Infection

The rapid expansion of South American camelid husbandry across Europe has introduced unforeseen challenges to traditional food safety frameworks. A comprehensive investigation published in Science in One Health has identified alpacas and llamas in Germany as previously underappreciated carriers of thermotolerant Campylobacter species. While this pathogen is a well-established cause of human gastroenteritis often linked to poultry or cattle, its presence in these non-traditional livestock sectors has remained largely unmonitored. The findings suggest that as these animals become more integrated into European agricultural landscapes, they may serve as a hidden reservoir for pathogens capable of jumping to human populations.

Disparate Infection Rates Between Alpacas and Llama Populations

The systematic study involved the collection and analysis of 717 fecal samples, revealing distinct biological differences in how these species carry the bacteria. Researchers found an overall prevalence of 3.2 percent, but the data showed that alpacas were significantly more likely to be colonized, with an infection rate of 4.9 percent compared to just 0.7 percent in llamas. This disparity suggests that species-specific physiological or behavioral traits may influence the carriage of the bacteria. The recovery of 16 Campylobacter jejuni and seven Campylobacter coli isolates provides concrete evidence that these animals are capable of hosting the most common strains responsible for human illness.

Seasonal Spikes and Shared Genetic Signatures With Humans

Environmental factors appear to play a critical role in the transmission dynamics of the bacteria within these herds. The study documented a notable increase in pathogen prevalence during the summer months, a seasonal trend that mirrors observations in conventional poultry and cattle operations. Using molecular typing, scientists identified multiple sequence types that match genetic signatures previously recorded in human clinical cases. This genetic overlap strongly implies that the pathways for cross-species transmission are already active, as the strains found in the German camelid farms are indistinguishable from those causing active disease in the broader population.