First report of the prevalence of Shiga toxinproducing Escherichia coli in ground beef in Quindío, Colombia.

Introduction: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a foodborne pathogen associated with clinical cases of diarrhea in humans. Its main virulence factors are the Shiga toxins (Stx1 and Stx2). Cattle are the main reservoir of STEC, and many outbreaks in humans have been related to the consumption of undercooked ground beef contaminated with this pathogen.