Also known as: Gout medicine overdose
Brandon, a 22-year-old male, presents with multiple confusing symptoms (cough, rash, fever, abdominal pain, hypotension, kidney failure, immunosuppression) that drive the entire diagnostic mystery. House ultimately determines Brandon accidentally ingested colchicine (gout medication) contaminated in street Ecstasy, explaining all symptoms in their specific temporal sequence.
Also known as: Kidney failure
Brandon develops acute interstitial nephritis and kidney failure as part of his colchicine poisoning presentation. The team initially attributes this to antibiotic toxicity before discovering the true cause.
Also known as: Low white blood cell count
Brandon's white blood cell count drops dramatically due to bone marrow suppression from colchicine poisoning, requiring him to be placed in a clean room to prevent life-threatening infections.
Also known as: Heart failure
Brandon develops cardiac dysfunction with persistent hypotension and ventricular fibrillation during catheterization, caused by colchicine's interference with heart muscle contractility.
Also known as: Nerve damage, numbness
Brandon experiences painful numbness and tingling in his fingers as a late manifestation of colchicine toxicity, which helps House confirm the diagnosis and predict upcoming hair loss.