Mycotoxic porcine nephropathy and spontaneous occurrence of ochratoxin A residues in kidneys of slaughtered swine

Abstract

In order to find information on the occurrence of mycotoxic porcine nephropathy in Serbia, during a six month period (2006/2007) samples of kidney from individual healthy slaughtered pigs were collected (n=90) and analyzed by HPLC for ochratoxin A. In addition, histological examinations were carried out. The incidence of OTA in kidney was 33,3% and varied between 0.17-52.5 ng/g. Histopathological examination of kidneys confirmed tubulopathies with oedema and cell vacuolization. In addition, hemorrhages and necrosis of proximal kidney tubules cells were found. These findings indicate that it is likely that most of the kidney injury is related to ochratoxin A and other nephrotoxic compounds which enhance the toxicity of OTA.