title: Could ochratoxin A in food commodities be the cause of chronic kidney disease in Sri Lanka?
abstract: Ochratoxin A (OA) is a naturally occurring mycotoxin with nephrotoxic properties that can contaminate plant food products. OA concentrations were assessed in commonly consumed food items in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka, where chronic kidney disease is diagnosed at epidemic proportions. Ninety-eight randomly selected food samples were analysed. Mycotoxin was detected in the extract by using a MycoMonitor Ochratoxin A ELISA assay kit (Helica Biosystems Inc., USA). The levels of OA found in these food commodities were below the recommended statutory maximum limit and are unlikely to be a potential risk factor for nephropathy in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka. kamaniw@sltnet.lk
authors.forename: Kamani P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Wanigasuriya
authors.forename: Hemantha
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Peiris
authors.forename: Nalaka
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ileperuma
authors.forename: Roshini J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Peiris-John
authors.forename: Rajitha
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wickremasinghe
mesh_terms: D002523:Edible Grain / Q000633:toxicity; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005506:Food Contamination; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000139:chemically induced*; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D009793:Ochratoxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D011634:Public Health; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013188:Sri Lanka
chemical_list: D009183:Mycotoxins; D009793:Ochratoxins; C025589:ochratoxin A