title: Estimation of ochratoxin A in the human blood of Romanian population.
abstract: Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a toxic secondary metabolite of fungi belonging to the Aspergillus and Penicillium genera, its presence in human blood being the primary indicator of exposure.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In the present study we determined OTA in 38 blood samples collected from healthy Romanian subjects of both genders.
  
  
  METHODS
  The OTA was determined through the direct, competitive, solid-phase immunoenzymatic method; the minimum quantification limit for determining OTA in serum samples was 0.0289 ng/mL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The positive sample percentage was 100%. OTA concentrations varied between < 0.04 ng/mL and 1 ng/mL. There were no significant differences between OTA concentrations in men versus women (0.24 +/- 0.20 ng/mL versus 0.17 +/- 0.15 ng/mL, p = 0.3527).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The analyzed blood samples exhibit a very high degree of exposure to OTA, but in only approximately 10% of the subjects exceeded 0.5 ng/mL, considered the threshold for OTA-induced renal pathology.
authors: University of Medicine and Pharmacy Grigore T. Popa-Iasi, Department of Environmental and Food Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine.
authors: Anca Vartolomei
authors: AV
authors: Zlăvog
authors: University of Medicine and Pharmacy Grigore T. Popa-Iasi, Department of Pharmacology.
authors: Magdalena
authors: M
authors: Cuciureanu
authors: Praxis Medica Laboratory, Iasi.
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Schiriac
authors: University of Medicine and Pharmacy Grigore T. Popa-Iasi, Department of Environmental and Food Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine.
authors: Ionela
authors: I
authors: Popa
authors: University of Medicine and Pharmacy Duntrea de Jos-Galaţi, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
authors: Camelia
authors: C
authors: Diaconu
authors: University of Medicine and Pharmacy Grigore T. Popa-Iasi, Department of Environmental and Food Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine.
authors: Rodica
authors: R
authors: Cuciureanu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000378:metabolism*; D062665:Epidemiological Monitoring; D005260:Female; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009793:Ochratoxins / Q000097:blood*; D012383:Romania / Q000453:epidemiology; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D009793:Ochratoxins; C025589:ochratoxin A