Abstract

Brooder pneumonia is a common respiratory problem during broodingperiod of poultry. It is most frequently caused by Aspergillus fumigatus. Useof azole drugs for treatment and prophylaxis results in resistance. The aim ofthis study was to determine whether the phytochemicals of Eucalyptusglobulus are modulating resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus. Lung samples n= 50 of dead broiler chicks were collected from different farms of Lahore.Out of 50 lung samples 28 % (14) were considered positive for Aspergillusfumigatus after observing their macroscopic, microscopic characteristics andby performing PCR by amplifying ITS1-ITS4 gene (597 base pairs) and RodAgene (313 base pairs). Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion test was performed 14isolates (100 %) were resistant towards both Fluconazole and Ketoconazolewhereas 11 (78.57 %) were resistant towards Itraconazole. Eucalyptusglobulus leaves were collected, and these were identified. Three solventextracts were prepared. Maximum yield was of ethanolic extract. Antifungalactivity was evaluated by agar well diffusion method. Highest antifungalactivity was shown by Eucalyptus globulus Ethanol followed by chloroformand hexane extract showed no activity against any isolate then minimuminhibitory concentration of plant extracts that previously showed antifungalactivity against isolates were evaluated by broth microdilution method.Modulation effect was checked by combining antifungal drug one by onewith subinhibitory concentration of plant extract evaluated previously bybroth microdilution method. 5 isolates were subjected into this experimentwhich are all sensitive towards Eucalyptus globulus ethanol and chloroformextracts tested previously in agar well diffusion test and MIC values werealso evaluated. It was concluded that when Itraconazole was combined withE. globulus Ethanol extract then resistance was modified. Data of modulationwas analyzed by One-way ANOVA and it reported P value of <0.05. It wassynergistic inhibitory effect when Itraconazole was combined withEucalyptus globulus Ethanol extract

Keywords: Aspergillosis; Azole resistance; Phytochemicals; Itraconazole;subinhibitory concentration