Prevalence of single and multiple Trypanosoma infections

The screening of the flies indicated the presence of different taxa of Trypanosoma, including Tc ( Trypanosoma congolense type: Savanah, Kilifi, Forest), Tv ( Trypanosoma vivax), and Tz ( Trypanozoon sp.: Trypanosoma brucei brucei, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, Trypanosoma evansi). The overall prevalence of single or multiple Trypanosoma infections among all tested flies was 69.97% (457/653). The prevalence of Trypanosoma varied significantly between countries (Χ 2 = 37.18, df = 1, and p <0.001) and locations (Χ 2 = 452.21, df = 7, and p <0.001). In Ghana, the prevalence was significantly higher than in Burkina Faso, at 86.38% and 20.76%, respectively (Table 2 and Fig. 3). In Ghana, the prevalence varied significantly with location (Χ 2 = 125.43, df = 5, and p <0.001), with a prevalence of 100% in some locations such as Sissili Bridge, Fumbissi, Kumpole, and Grogro (Fig. 3 and Supplementary Table 3).

The most frequently found trypanosomes were Tz and Tv, with a prevalence of 30.2% and 22.42%, respectively. However, only Tz varied significantly with country (Χ 2 = 7.54, df = 1, and p = 0.006) and location (Χ 2 = 185.82, df = 7, and p <0.001). Trypanosoma congolense was found in the two locations in Burkina Faso (Comoe at 2.37% and Folonzo at 2.00%), and only in one location in Ghana (Walewale (2.87%)). Its prevalence varied significantly with country (Χ 2 = 6.426, df = 1, and p = 0.01) and location (Χ 2 = 34.97, df = 7, and p <0.001).

The TvTz multiple infection was the most prevalent in the samples (11.22%). In Ghana, no TcTv double infections were found, while in Burkina Faso, no triple infections TcTvTz were found. The prevalence of the double infections varied only according with location (Χ 2 = 245.15, df = 7, and p <0.001) (Fig. 3 and TcTz Supplementary Table 3).