Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Cryptosporidium species in diarrheic children in Cameroon

Description: This dataset contains nucleotide sequences derived from amplicon sequencing of the Cryptosporidium GP60 gene. The data is associated with the manuscript titled "Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Cryptosporidium species in diarrheic children in Cameroon". The study provides a nationwide genetic characterization of Cryptosporidium species in children in Cameroon, focusing on genetic diversity, subtyping, and phylogenetic relationships.

The GP60 gene, a critical marker for subtyping Cryptosporidium, was amplified and sequenced using Sanger sequencing. These sequences were utilized to infer phylogenetic history and subtype the Cryptosporidium isolates, revealing important insights into the diversity and transmission dynamics of Cryptosporidium hominis and Cryptosporidium parvum in Cameroon. While the sequences represent partial gene fragments typical of amplicon-based approaches, they retain sufficient resolution for robust subtyping and phylogenetic analysis.

Key Details:

Gene Targeted: Cryptosporidium GP60 gene (partial sequences from amplicon sequencing)

Organisms: Cryptosporidium hominis, Cryptosporidium parvum

Source: Clinical samples from children across Cameroon

Sequencing Methodology: Sanger sequencing

Data Type: Nucleotide sequences (multifasta format; one sequence per ">")

Purpose: To support studies on Cryptosporidium species diversity, subtyping, phylogenetics, and epidemiology.

Associated Manuscript Abstract: Included as a description of the study's context and significance.

Limitations: The sequences were derived from amplicon sequencing, so they do not include full-length exons or the entire gene. The amplicon-based approach can introduce artifacts such as internal stop codons, frameshifts, or misannotations. These limitations were mitigated by focusing the analysis on conserved and high-confidence regions of the GP60 gene.

Scientific Insights: The sequences revealed that Cryptosporidium hominis and Cryptosporidium parvum circulate in Cameroon. Phylogenetic analysis strongly suggests that transmission routes for both species are predominantly anthroponotic. Subtyping of the isolates has provided new data to support local and regional efforts in understanding Cryptosporidium diversity and transmission.

Access and Usage: The dataset is publicly available for reproducibility and reuse.