HUMAN NEPHROPATHY RELATED TO OCHRATOXIN A IN TUNISIA

Mycoloxins and the induced pathologies are becoming a word wide preocc upation and rise serious economic and sanitary problems. Tunisia as we ll is concerned, due to its climate, geographic situation, social and economic conditions of the population. Many data including ours, have previously shown the implication of some mycotoxins in specific and se vere pathologies such as alimentary toxic aleucia, primitive liver car cinoma, nephrogathy etc... In Tunisia a clear cut correlation has been found between the consuption of food contaminated by toxigenic Fungi and specific pathologies. Our present study was focused on ochratoxin A, which is produced by moulds of Aspergillus genera. This mycotoxin w hich is always found in Tunisia since 1983, is invariably found in foo d survey. Thereby it is introduced in human blood and tissues. Since i t is now established that ochratoxin A is the main causal agent of Bal kan Endemic Nephropathy, we bring hereby evidences that this pathology does no longer concern the Balkans only. Tunisia appears to be a seco nd hot spot of this desease in the world and evidences are given for t he exclusive alimentary origin of the intoxication.