title: Estimation of Ochratoxin A in human blood of healthy Tunisian population.
abstract: Human exposure to Ochratoxin A (OTA) has been investigated in many Mediterranean countries, where OTA was found with a higher frequency in foodstuffs and blood samples. The aim of this study was to assess OTA concentrations in human blood serum in Tunisia and to evaluate the impact of several factors (age, origin, sex) on these prevalence reference values. One hundred and seven blood serum samples from healthy subjects were analyzed using a solid-phase extraction linked to a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. OTA values ranged from 0 to 3.43 ng/mL with a mean value of 0.49+/-0.67 ng/mL. OTA levels were higher in the Sahal group. Our results reflect OTA concentration previously detected for human blood in Tunisia. Origin, but not age and sex, may affect the OTA reference values.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Military Hospital of Tunis, Montfleury, Tunis 1008, Tunisia. azziz_mk@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Hmaissia-Khlifa
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Karima
authors.forename: Ghali
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ridha
authors.forename: Aouni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zied
authors.forename: Mazigh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chekib
authors.forename: Machgoul
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salem
authors.forename: Hedhili
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Abderrazek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000032:analysis*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009793:Ochratoxins / Q000097:blood*; D014416:Tunisia; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D009793:Ochratoxins; C025589:ochratoxin A