Bla<sub>OXA-51-like,</sub> intrinsic carbapenemase gene in Acinetobacter baumannii previously found only in this species, was detected in a clinical isolate of Acinetobacter genomic species 13TU. This study aimed to characterize this gene in the isolate. Genomic species identification was confirmed by amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis and sequence analysis of 16S-23S ribosomal DNA intergenic spacer, rpoB and recA. The bla<sub>OXA-51-like</sub> gene, with an upstream IS Aba 1 insertion, was plasmid-encoded and the surrounding sequences suggested that its origin was from A. baumannii. Transformation of Acinetobacter genomic species 13TTJ ATCC 17903 with recombinant plasmid bearing ISAbal-bla<sub>OXA-51-like</sub> from the isolate increased the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of meropenem and imipenem 256-fold. This is the first report of bla<sub>OXA-51-like</sub> in an organism other than A. baumannii. This plasmid-borne bla<sub>OxA-51-like</sub> gene witn an upstream IS Aba 1 insertion confers a high level of carbapenem resistance to Acinetobacter genomic species 13TU.
