RGD uses the Human Disease Ontology (DO, https://disease-ontology.org/) for disease curation across species. RGD automatically downloads each new release of the ontology on a monthly basis. Some additional terms which are required for RGD's curation purposes but are not currently covered in the official version of DO have been added. As corresponding terms are added to DO, these custom terms are retired and the DO terms substituted in existing annotations and subsequently used for curation.
An otitis externa which involves infection of the external ear that has spread to involve the skull bone containing part of the ear canal, the middle ear, and the inner ear. It is caused by the bacteria Pseudomonas. This is common in people with weakened immune systems and in older people with diabetes. (DO)