PHYSIOPATHOLOGY OF HEMORRHAGIC SYNDROME RELATED TO OCHRATOXIN A INTOXICATION IN RATS

Wistar rats were given by gavage a daily 4 mg/kg dose of ochratoxin A over 4, 6, 8 or 10 days. Studies on hemostasis showed a drop in plasma fibrinogen and decreases in factors II, VII and X, and in the thrombocyte and megakaryocyte count. The possibility of a disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome is discussed. An effective fall in the vitamin-K pool caused ochratoxin A to have an indirect effect similar to that of coumarin. Blood analyses showed a later hemoconcentration related to an increase in neutrophils, which was probably due to the presence of necrotic foci in the organs of the treated animals.