title: Balkan (endemic) nephropathy and foodborn ochratoxin A: preliminary results of a survey of foodstuffs.
abstract: Ochratoxin A is a nephrotoxic fungal metabolite (mycotoxin) occurring in foodstuffs. The compound is causally associated with mycotoxic porcine nephropathy, a disease comparable with a human kidney disease, Balkan endemic nephropathy. A preliminary survey of home-produced foodstuffs in areas of Yugoslavia revealed that contamination with ochratoxin A is more frequent in an area where Balkan endemic nephropathy is prevalent (endemic area) than in area where this disease is absent. This indicates higher exposure to foodborn ochratoxin A in the endemic area. Thus further evidence is provided supporting the hypothesis that ochratoxin A is a disease determinant of Balkan endemic nephropathyk0
mesh_terms: D005504:Food Analysis; D005506:Food Contamination; D006801:Humans; D009395:Nephritis, Interstitial / Q000139:chemically induced*; D009793:Ochratoxins / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D009793:Ochratoxins