Catalyzes the exchange of L-arginine for agmatine. The arginine uptake by the bacterium in the macrophage may be a virulence factor against the host innate immune response. Inhibited by L-canavanine and D-arginine. Resistant to cadaverine, L-lysine and L-ornithine. Belongs to the amino acid-polyamine-organocation (APC) superfamily. Basic amino acid/polyamine antiporter (APA) (TC 2.A.3.2) family. Truncated C-terminus.