G'day mates,
Is anyone familiar with a newly defined syndrome called expatriate syndrome?
My understanding is that the syndrome is caused by the filarial worm being
introduced into expatriates or visitors to endemic areas that have no
genetic protection to the parasite. The result is IgG4 antigens being
produced to combat the larvae and the worm. My question is driving towards
a conclusion that even though a visitor to the area contracts a mosquitoe
bite from a filarial infested bug, can and do these antigens stay in the
host forever, even after the host rids itself of the parasite? What happens
to the host if it can't rid itself of the parasite? Are the clinical
symptoms the same for individuals from the endemic area as opposed to
visitors from outside the area? Can the parasite be transmitted and survive
to cause the expatriate problems even by a single bite? What other kinds of
parasites act in a similar manner? And, are there any antigen test for the
past presence of these parasites?
Thanks,
Patrick Stansberry
American Coast Guard
