Increased Ochratoxin A Serum Levels
in Patients with Balkan Nephropathy
Stefan Vöő1, Doina Drugarin1, Ani Biriescu1, Florin
Margineanu2 Rareş Tudor Olariu3, and Ildikó Andrea Koreck1
1 Department of Immunology, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara, Romania
2 Department of Nephrology-Dialysis, County Hospital, Drobeta Turnu-Severin, Romania
3 Department of Parasitology, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timişoara, Romania
Corresponding author: Stefan Vöő
Department of Immunology
Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy
Splaiul Tudor Vladimirescu
RO-1900 Timişoara, Romania
Fax number: +40-56-190-507
E-mail address: stefanvoo@yahoo.com
CEJOEM 2002, Vol.8. No.2–3.:178–182
Key words:
Balkan nephropathy, ochratoxin A, mycotoxin
Abstract:
Balkan nephropathy (BN) is defined as a disease of unknown etiology. Some nephrotoxicogenic
environmental toxins are supposed to be implicated in the pathogenesis of the disease. Ochratoxin
A (OTA) is a mycotoxin with toxic effect on tubular endothelial cells. The aim of this study was
to detect the serum levels of OTA in BN patients. The study was performed on 25 patients with BN
and 15 healthy controls from a non-endemic area. Serum levels of OTA were detected by ELISA
technique. We found that OTA was present in serum samples of all BN patients but was undetectable
in the serum of healthy controls. Our results suggest that OTA could have a role in the pathogenesis of BN.
Received: 3 July 2002
Accepted: 4 September 2002
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