In this study, we evaluated non-indicating FTA Elute micro cards as a potential sampling substrate for the molecular identification of Trichomonas gallinae isolates.

Isolate concentrations of 10 or 100 trichomonads/40 μl, from two T. gallinae isolates were inoculated onto a FTA Elute cards and analyzed by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using trichomonad-specific primers at 48 h, 2 weeks, and 3 weeks post inoculation.

Three PCR-positive samples were detected at 48 h from one isolate; however, all eluents from cards held for 2–3 weeks were PCR-negative. Our results suggest that FTA Elute cards have a low sensitivity for molecular identification of T. gallinae in low concentrations, such as those found in non-clinical birds; however, more research is needed to fully evaluate the efficacy of FTA Elute cards as a diagnostic tool for T. gallinae.