Porcine nephropathy in Europe

Numerous surveys conducted in North America, Asia and Europe have revealed that ochratoxin A is a natural contaminant of plant products. Contamination frequencies of up to 40% have been encountered, at levels in the range of 5-500 micrograms/kg. Ochratoxin A is a major causal determinant of the disease porcine nephropathy; but other nephrotoxic mycotoxins, such as citrinin and the fungal quinones, may be involved. The disease is characterized clinically by polyuria and growth depression. Renal lesions in pigs include degeneration of the proximal tubules, interstitial fibrosis and hyalinization of the glomeruli. The disease is endemic, outbreaks being associated with bad weather conditions. A positive correlation has been observed between the prevalence rates of porcine nephropathy and the frequency of ochratoxin A in corresponding feed samples. Surveys for residues of ochratoxin A in kidneys from cases of porcine nephropathy in a number of European countries other than Denmark have demonstrated that 21-42% of samples contain ochratoxin A in the range of 1-100 micrograms/kg.