Balkan nephropathy genetics

Genetic factors may play a role in different individual risk of developing Balkan nephropathy, upper urothelial tumors, both diseases or none of them [68]. However, epidemiological data indicate that one or more external, environmental factors are crucial for the occurrence of both Balkan nephropathy and excessive frequency of these tumors in endemic areas. 

Hrisoho DT. Balkan Endemic Nephropathy. Study of pathogenesis based on genetic factors. In Endemic (Balkan) Nephropathy, Proc.4th Symp., Nis 1979. Eds. S. Strahinjic V. Stefanovic. Inst. Nephr. Haemod., Nis 1979 1981 p. 147-154. 

Currently one research group argues in favor of a crucial role of genetic factors. They identified a specific chromosome marker (3q25) in Balkan nephropathy patients [24-26]. Another research team saw some aberrations of the X chromosome, but they resembled changes occurring after exposure to ocharatoxin A [27]. 

Toncheva D, DimitrovT. Genetic predisposition to Balkan endemic nephropathy. Nephron 1996 72(4) 564-9. 

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