Comparison of molecular and McMaster microscopy techniques to confirm the presence of naturally acquired strongylid nematode infections in sheep

► Genomic DNA was extracted directly from lamb faecal samples using a commercial DNA isolation kit. ► Species-specific PCR assays detected five different strongylid genera. ► No evidence of PCR inhibition was detected in any larvae-spiked positive faecal controls. ► PCR and microscopic tests had high levels of diagnostic agreement (≥0.93). ► Potential for the rapid diagnosis of highly pathogenic strongylids by PCR.