@article{c5b62a80e61311ddbf70000ea68e967b,
title = "Observations on the periodicity of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes in natural human infections",
abstract = "The circadian periodicity of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes in peripheral blood was analysed in a group of children from an holoendemic community of north-eastern Tanzania. No periodicity was observed with asexual stage parasites. Gametocytes were shown to display a diurnal subperiodic pattern with a periodicity index of 31. 8. Mathematical analysis of the data indicated that P. falciparum gametocytes tend to display periodicity with a peak (15:30-19:30 h) that do not coincide with the peak (00:30-03:30 h) biting activity of the local vector, Anopheles gambiae. We were thus able to show a P. falciparum gametocyte periodicity with a harmonic wave pattern, but its functional biological significance if any, is currently unknown.",
author = "Magesa, {S M} and Mdira, {Y K} and Akida, {J A} and Bygbjerg, {I C} and Jakobsen, {P H}",
note = "Keywords: Animals; Anopheles; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Infant; Insect Vectors; Malaria, Falciparum; Male; Mathematics; Microfilaria; Parasitemia; Periodicity; Plasmodium falciparum; Tanzania; Time Factors",
year = "2000",
language = "English",
volume = "76",
pages = "239--46",
journal = "Acta Tropica",
issn = "0001-706X",
publisher = "Elsevier",
number = "3",
}