Ochratoxin A exposure biomarkers in the Czech Republic and comparison with foreign countries.

Among ochratoxins, ochratoxin A (OTA) occupies a dominant place and represents significant risk for human and animal health which also implies economic losses around the world. OTA is nephrotoxic, hepatotoxic, teratogenic and immunotoxic mycotoxin. OTA exposure may lead to formation of DNA adducts resulting to genotoxicity and carcinogenicity (human carcinogen of 2B group). Now it seems that OTA could be "a complete carcinogen" which obliges to monitor its presence in biological materials, especially using the suitable biomarkers. In this article, OTA findings in urine, blood, serum, plasma and human kidneys (target dose) in the Czech Republic and comparison with foreign countries are presented.