Also known as: AIDS
Kalvin is an HIV-positive patient who initially presents with weight loss, fever, and shortness of breath. His HIV has progressed to AIDS, but his T-cell count has rebounded to 200 after medication changes, complicating his diagnosis.
Also known as: Parasitic cysts from fox hunting
The parasitic cysts from echinococcus (contracted from fox hunting in Montana) form masses in Kalvin's heart and lungs, mimicking lymphoma. His father also has liver cysts from the same parasite, initially misdiagnosed as cirrhosis.
Also known as: Fluid around the heart
Kalvin develops bleeding around his heart, causing cardiac tamponade symptoms. Initially thought to be blood from a reopened lung tear, it turns out to be caused by the parasitic cysts.
Also known as: Beryllium disease
Considered as a diagnosis when the team discovers Kalvin is a photographer with old fluorescent bulbs containing beryllium. Ruled out after lung biopsy and spectrographic analysis.
Also known as: End-stage lymphoma
Initially believed to be the diagnosis due to masses in the heart and lungs in an HIV-positive patient. Ultimately ruled out when the masses are confirmed to be parasitic cysts from echinococcosis.
Also known as: Coughing up blood
Kalvin coughs up blood that gets into Cameron's eyes and mouth, creating HIV exposure risk and significant emotional impact. The bleeding is from a ruptured blood vessel in his lung related to the parasitic cysts.
Also known as: Liver scarring
Kalvin's father is believed to have cirrhosis, but House determines the liver symptoms are actually caused by echinococcal cysts mimicking cirrhosis. The father's blood test confirms the parasitic diagnosis.
Also known as: Heroin addiction
Kalvin regularly uses crystal meth and ecstasy as part of 'Party and Play' culture. The drug use is investigated as a possible cause of his symptoms and reflects his self-destructive behavior following his mother's death.
Also known as: Mycoplasma infection
House diagnoses Stacy's rat with a mycoplasma infection causing head tilt and respiratory symptoms, aggravated by exposure to cigarette smoke in the house.