Spontaneous toxic nephropathy in poultry associated with ochratoxin A.

At a poultry slaughterhouse 14 birds with macroscopic renal changes were collected, and the kidneys were examined histologically and the muscular tissue was analysed for ochratoxin A residues. Out of 14 birds 5 birds had ochratoxin A residues ranging from 4.3 to 29.2 mug/kg. In 4 of these birds a toxic nephropathy was found characterised by atrophy and degeneration of proximal and distal tubules and interstitial fibrosis. The possibility of birds with ochratoxin A residues being presented for human consumption is discussed.