Abstract:Various etiological factors contributing to the development of mycotoxic nephropathy in farm animals and humans are reviewed. The possible synergistic effect between ochratoxin A (OTA) and other mycotoxins, as penicillic acid (PA) and fumonisin B 1 (FB 1 ), contributing to this nephropathy is also considered and discussed. The most convenient ways of prophylaxis and various preventive measures against OTA contamination of feeds or foods are reviewed. A reference is made concerning the most successful methods of veterinary hygiene control in the slaughterhouses in order to prevent the entering of OTA in commercial channels with a view to human health. The economic efficacy of these prophylactic procedures is also considered. An evaluation of human exposure to OTA is made.Keywords: mycotoxic nephropathy, Balkan endemic nephropathy, ochratoxin A, penicillic acid, fumonisin B 1 , synergism, preventive measures, hygiene control, pathogenesis Abbreviations: MN -mycotoxic nephropathy; MPN -mycotoxic porcine nephropathy; MAN -mycotoxic avian nephropathy; MNFA -mycotoxic nephropathy in farm animals; BEN -Balkan endemic nephropathy; OTA -ochratoxin A; OTα -ochratoxin α; PApenicillic acid; FB 1 -fumonisin B 1Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2008, 9