Academic Hospital Journal
Vol 8, No 1 (2026)

Diagnostic Accuracy of ELISA Compared to Rapid Diagnostic Tests for Toxoplasmosis: A Systematic Review

Eka Noviya Fuzianingsih (Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, STIKes Karya Putra Bangsa Jl. Raya Tulungagung – Blitar KM4, Sumbergempol, Tulungagung, Indonesia)
Wiwit Sulistyasmi (Department of Health Analyst, Politeknik Kesehatan Kementerian Kesehatan Bengkulu Jl. Indragiri Pd. Harapan No.3, Padang Harapan, Gading Cempaka District, Bengkulu City, Bengkulu, Indonesia)
Rachmad Bayu Kuncara (Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Politeknik Kesehatan Kementerian Kesehatan Semarang Jl. Wolter Monginsidi No. 115, Pedurungan Tengah, Pedurungan, Semarang, Indonesia)
Sulastri Sulastri (Undergraduate Pharmacy Study Program, STIKes Karya Putra Bangsa, Tulungagung, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Mar 2026

Abstract

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan responsible for toxoplasmosis, a globally prevalent parasitic infection affecting more than one-third of the world’s population. Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial, particularly for pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals, to prevent severe complications such as congenital toxoplasmosis and encephalitis. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is widely regarded as a reference serological method due to its high sensitivity and specificity. In contrast, rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) offer practical advantages but show variable diagnostic performance.Method: This systematic review evaluated and compared the diagnostic accuracy of ELISA and RDTs for toxoplasmosis. Literature searches were conducted in PubMed and Google Scholar for studies published between 2015 and 2025. Eligible studies assessed the diagnostic performance of ELISA and RDTs for detecting T. gondii infection in human populations, including sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy.Result: Five studies met the inclusion criteria. Across diverse populations, ELISA consistently demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy, with sensitivity and specificity exceeding 90% in most studies. In contrast, RDTs showed lower performance and greater heterogeneity, particularly in individuals with low antibody titers and in immunocompromised individuals. Nevertheless, RDTs provided operational advantages for rapid screening in low-resource settings.Conclusion: ELISA remains the most reliable method for serological diagnosis of toxoplasmosis, while RDTs may serve as complementary tools for initial screening. The integration of both approaches, along with the adoption of advanced ELISA formats such as recombinant antigen-based or Nano-Gold ELISA, may improve early detection and enhance diagnostic capacity across different healthcare settings.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ahj

Publisher

Subject

Dentistry Health Professions Medicine & Pharmacology Nursing Public Health

Description

The Academic Hospital Journal (AHJ) is an open accessed online journal and comprehensive peer-reviewed that considers articles on a variety range of health issues, clinical and non clinical researches, hospital management, and health technology. AHJ accept original articles and case reports. AHJ ...