Serum levels of ochratoxin A and lesion in swine in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Krüger C.D., Sobreiro L.G., Tortelly R., Fernandes A.M. & Rosa C.A.R. [Serum levels of ochratoxin A and lesion in swine in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.] Níveis séricos de ocratoxina A e lesões em suínos no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinária, 37(3):198-202, 2015. Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia Veterinária, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Rodovia BR 465, Km 7, Seropédica, RJ 23890-00, Brasil. E-mail: cesarkruger@hotmail.com In this study it was evaluated the concentration of ochratoxin A (OTA) in blood serum of 87 finished pigs from two slaughterhouses with state inspection in the Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Analyses were performed by high performance liquid chromatography, with 4.59% of positive samples. Interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration was the most frequent kidney injury found (35.63%) and inflammatory infiltrate in the portal space the most frequent alteration (12.64%) in liver. There was no significant correlation between histopathologic findings and ochratoxin A concentration in animals’ serum. However, it cannot be affirmed that animals did not have contact with the toxin or that the kidney lesions observed cannot be generated by OTA action. Other studies related to OTA are necessary to clarify the nephropathy in swine.