The natural occurrence of ochratoxin A and its effects in poultry. A review

SummaryOchratoxin A (OA), a potent nephrotoxic mycotoxin, can contaminate a wide range of animal and human food products. Spontaneously-occurring OA-induced nephropathy has been recorded in natural field outbreaks in poultry from many countries.Aspergillus ochraceus, the main OA-forming fungus, has been isolated from stored grains and from a wide variety of food and feedstuffs, but the total extent OA contamination of food and feedstuffs cannot be assessed quantitatively. The extensive literature on the subject reviewed in this paper is an indication of the widespread nature of the problem.The symptoms reported in experimental ochratoxicosis A are described in detail.