OCHRATOXIN-INDUCED NEPHROTOXICITY IN ANIM ALS AND HUMANS

Ochratoxin A is a dihydroisocoumarin derivate linked to an L-beta phen ylalanine group that is produced by a number of Aspergillus and Penici llium species and is commonly found as a contaminant in a broad range of foods for human and animal use. In addition to being teratogenic, c arcinogenic, mutagenic, and immunosuppressive, ochratoxin A is nephrot oxic. Porcine nephropathy due to ochratoxin A is a naturally-occurring disease characterized by proximal tubular dysfunction. Proximal tubul ar dysfunction also occurs in many other animals after administration of ochratoxin A. Histologic features consist of degenerescence of the tubular epithelium, interstitial fibrosis, pycnosis, karyorrhexis, and karyomegaly. Whether ochratoxin A is nephrotoxic in humans remains un settled, although a case of acute renal failure has been reported rece ntly. Two cases of chronic renal failure probably due to chronic expos ure to ochratoxin A are described herein. Ochratoxin A may play a role in chronic karyomegalic interstitial nephropathy and in Balkan endemi c nephropathy. More recently, ochratoxin A has been implicated in the occurrence of chronic interstitial nephropathy in North Africa.