Non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in retail ground beef and pork in the Washington D.C. area

► Prevalence and characterization of non-O157 STEC in retail ground beef and pork were determined. ► High prevalence of stx2dact was found in non-O157 STEC from retail meat. ► A group of O91 STEC that are potentially pathogenic to humans were isolated from retail beef and pork. ► Antimicrobial resistance was common among non-O157 STEC from retail meat.