Viruses in Endemic (Balkan) Nephropathy

Georgescu, L; Litvac, B; Dioşi, P; Plavoşin, L; Herzog, Georgeta

doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(76)92274-1

Cited by 18 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Further results from this group (Apostolov et al 1977a, b, Uzelac-Keserovic et al 1999 provided support for this hypothesis. Georgescu et al (1976Georgescu et al ( , 1978 con®rmed the presence of viral particles in cells from BEN patients, but did not ®nd consistent evidence of serum antibodies to several non-porcine viruses. However, an electron microscopic analysis of renal sections revealed the virus-like particles only in the cytoplasm (Georgescu and Diosi 1991).…”

Section: Bacteria Leptospira and Virusesmentioning

confidence: 84%

Balkan endemic nephropathy and associated urinary tract tumours: a review on aetiological causes and the potential role of mycotoxins

Pfohl‐Leszkowicz

Petkova-Bocharova²,

In³

et al. 2002

Food Additives and Contaminants

312

172

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A series of publications in the 1950s described a kidney disease in Bulgaria, the former Yugoslavia and Romania that became known as Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN). The disease was qualified by World Health Organisation (WHO) experts as 'progressive and very gradually developing renal failure with insidious onset.... The last stage shows marked fibrosis...'. BEN is characterized by tubular degeneration, interstitial fibrosis and hyalinization of glomeruli accompanied by enzymuria and impaired renal function without nephrotic syndrome. Later, an association between BEN and tumours of the kidney pelvis and ureter was recognized, so that the problem of BEN became not only nephrological, but also oncological. There may also be an association with increased urinary bladder cancer incidence, although many confounding factors may interfere in the analysis of data for this organ. In view of the very intimate association between BEN and the urinary tract tumours (UTT), the term 'endemic uropathy' has been proposed. Several hypothesis concerning the aetiology of these diseases has been investigated, which include: predisposing genes factors, environmental factors (heavy metals, minerals, bacteria, leptospira, viruses, fungal toxins and, most recently, pliocene lignites). This paper reviews the different hypotheses about the aetiology of endemic uropathy and pays particular attention to the role of fungal toxins.

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Section: Bacteria Leptospira and Virusesmentioning

confidence: 84%

Balkan endemic nephropathy and associated urinary tract tumours: a review on aetiological causes and the potential role of mycotoxins

Pfohl‐Leszkowicz

Petkova-Bocharova²,

In³

et al. 2002

Food Additives and Contaminants

312

172

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“…Subsequent serological studies have failed to support any relation between BN and the West Nile virus (42) or several other viruses (12,23). Interpretation of cytoplasmic inclusions as coronavirus used to be supported by a claim that the disease was associated with pig husbandry and that Moslems, who do not raise pigs, were not affected (2).…”

Section: Live Agents and Their Productsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aetiology of Balkan nephropathy: A reapprisal after 30 years

Radovanović¹

1989

Eur J Epidemiol

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Balkan nephropathy (BN) has been a complete aetiological puzzle for many years. Intense research produced many controversial results, but also helped some clues to be traced. Thus, it became rather obvious that the disease is caused by environmental factors (though it may be, to some extent, genetically controlled). Among live agents, slow viruses are the only (and theoretically very attractive) possible cause of both BN and urothelial tumours, which occur frequently in BN endemic areas. Apart from occasional visualization of virus-like particles, other evidence supporting this hypothesis has been lacking. The role biological products, particularly fungal toxins, needs to be further defined. An excess of any heavy metal or radioactive substance as a cause of BN is very unlikely indeed; however, a deficiency of a bio-essential element could not be ruled out. Many epidemiological data indicate that water might be a transmitter of the agent(s). A wide range of ions and minerals have been incriminated, but up to now most of the studies have provided negative or inconclusive results. Organic compounds in well water have never been sufficiently considered. Another ignored area are unstable and, particularly, photosensitive substances. Fertilizers, pesticides, analgesics, local herbs and teas have no causal relation to BN.

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“…5 Transplantation is usually not an option, 6 and typically 50% of patients have died within 2 years of diagnosis. 7 Of the many hypotheses that have been proposed for the etiology of BEN, [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] evidence from many studies favors the involvement of an environmental factor(s) in the etiology of the disease, 1,[19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] for example, exposure to organic compounds from Pliocene lignite coal deposits. The Pliocene lignite hypothesis posits that BEN is caused by long-term exposure to low concentrations of toxic organic compounds leaching into drinking water, that is used almost exclusively by the population, via groundwater from Pliocene lignites found in the vicinity of endemic settlements.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Limitations and plausibility of the Pliocene lignite hypothesis in explaining the etiology of Balkan endemic nephropathy

Maharaj¹

2013

International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health

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Background: Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN) is a chronic, tubulointerstitial renal disease often accompanied by urothelial cancer that has a lethality of nearly 100%. Introduction: One of the many factors that have been proposed to play an etiological role in BEN is exposure to organic compounds from Pliocene lignite coal deposits via the drinking water in endemic areas. Objectives: The objective of this study was to systematically evaluate the role of the tenets of the Pliocene lignite hypothesis in the etiology of BEN in order to provide an improved understanding of the hypothesis for colleagues and patients alike. Methods: A comprehensive compilation of the possible limitations of the hypothesis, with each limitation addressed in turn is presented. Results: The Pliocene lignite hypothesis can best account for, is consistent with, or has the potential to explain the evidence associated with the myriad of factors related to BEN. Conclusions: Residents of endemic areas are exposed to complex mixtures containing hundreds of organic compounds at varying doses and their potentially more toxic (including nephrotoxic) and/or carcinogenic metabolites; however, a multifactorial etiology of BEN appears most likely.

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Viruses in Endemic (Balkan) Nephropathy

Cited by 18 publications

References 2 publications

Balkan endemic nephropathy and associated urinary tract tumours: a review on aetiological causes and the potential role of mycotoxins

Balkan endemic nephropathy and associated urinary tract tumours: a review on aetiological causes and the potential role of mycotoxins

Aetiology of Balkan nephropathy: A reapprisal after 30 years

Limitations and plausibility of the Pliocene lignite hypothesis in explaining the etiology of Balkan endemic nephropathy

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