A silent finding in Guaíba sounded the alarm for science and placed Porto Alegre at the center of a worrying investigation: dangerous bacteria defies 14 antibiotics, intrigues UFRGS researchers, appears on the capital's beaches, and raises suspicions about hospital waste in the sewage.

A silent finding in Guaíba sounded the alarm for science and placed Porto Alegre at the center of a worrying investigation: dangerous bacteria defies 14 antibiotics, intrigues UFRGS researchers, appears on the capital’s beaches, and raises suspicions about hospital waste in the sewage.

Written by Caio Aviz

Published on 12/05/2026 at 16:00

Updated on 12/05/2026 at 16:01

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Microorganism identified by researchers from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul on beaches, points of Guaíba and near EBAP Menino Deus showed high resistance to important antibiotics, expanded the environmental alert in Porto Alegre and raised suspicions about possible improper disposal of hospital waste in the sewage system of the gaucho capital

A bacterium of high clinical relevance appeared in water samples collected in Porto Alegre and reignited the alert about antibiotic resistance in Guaíba.

Researchers from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul identified Acinetobacter baumannii at four points in the gaucho capital, within the ClimaRes WaSH and CLIMASANO projects.

The most concerning case involves a sample taken near the Menino Deus Stormwater Pumping Station, in Guaíba.

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Technical analysis identifies bacteria at points in Guaíba

Resident crosses a stretch of Guaíba in Porto Alegre while researchers investigate the presence of Acinetobacter baumannii bacteria in water points analyzed by UFRGS. Image: Porto Alegre City Hall/Disclosure / Porto Alegre 24 horas

UFRGS researchers conducted the investigation and analyzed samples from Lami beach, Ipanema beach, and two points in Guaíba.

Microorganisms were also identified near the mouth of the Dilúvio Stream and in the vicinity of EBAP Menino Deus.

According to the analysis, the EBAP Menino Deus sample presented the most critical scenario.

At this location, the bacterium completely resisted the antimicrobials evaluated, including imipenem, meropenem, ciprofloxacin, and ceftazidime.

At the other points evaluated, the isolates also resisted different antibiotics used in the treatment of bacterial infections.

Why Acinetobacter baumannii worries researchers

Acinetobacter baumannii worries specialists because it can resist medications used in important treatments.

In 2024, the World Health Organization included this microorganism on the list of the world’s most dangerous bacteria.

This classification considers the high potential for antimicrobial resistance and the associated risk to public health.

Therefore, the presence of the bacterium in environmental areas of Porto Alegre reinforces researchers’ concern.

The finding also broadens the debate about possible improper disposal of waste linked to the sewage system.

Antibiotic resistance raises alert in Porto Alegre

The resistance found in the samples is concerning because it involves important antibiotics against bacterial infections.

In the sample near EBAP Menino Deus, the analyzed isolate did not respond to the 14 antimicrobials tested.

According to researchers, this result requires further investigation.

Thus, the team intends to understand the mechanisms that explain the resistance found in the samples.

Genomic sequencing will be the next step

Now, researchers will perform the genomic sequencing of the samples collected in Porto Alegre.

With this, the team will seek to identify the resistance mechanisms present in the bacteria.

Scientists also intend to analyze a possible genetic relationship with strains found during an outbreak recorded in April.

This outbreak occurred in the neonatal ICU of Hospital Fêmina, also in Porto Alegre.

Genetic comparison may indicate whether there is a link between environmental strains and those identified in the hospital environment.

Hypothesis involves hospital waste in sewage

The team responsible for the study raises the disposal of hospital waste into the sewage system without adequate treatment as the main hypothesis.

According to researchers, this possibility will continue to be investigated in the next stages of the analysis.

Even so, the finding already shows the importance of monitoring resistant bacteria in urban environments.

After all, the identification of Acinetobacter baumannii in Guaíba shows how antimicrobial resistance can go beyond the hospital environment.

Should Porto Alegre expand environmental monitoring to understand the origin of this bacterium or prioritize the investigation of hospital waste?

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A silent finding in Guaíba sounded the alarm for science and placed Porto Alegre at the center of a worrying investigation: dangerous bacteria defies 14 antibiotics, intrigues UFRGS researchers, appears on the capital’s beaches, and raises suspicions about hospital waste in the sewage.

Technical analysis identifies bacteria at points in Guaíba

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Why Acinetobacter baumannii worries researchers

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Genomic sequencing will be the next step

Hypothesis involves hospital waste in sewage

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