Interspecies DNA acquisition by a naturally competent Acinetobacter baumannii strain

•A. baumannii A118 was able to acquire genomic DNA (gDNA) of two carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae clinical isolates.•Whole genome sequence of two transformant cells was obtained, confirming the acquisition of foreign gDNA.•Acquired K. pneumoniae DNA segments included mobile elements, resistance determinants and genes involved in metabolism.•A. baumannii A118 was also able to incorporate gDNA of P. rettgeri and S. aureus, two phylogenetically distant species.•A. baumannii can acquire foreign DNA from different species, which may play a major role in the emergence of MDR strains.