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.
A spotted fever that has_material_basis_in Rickettsia conorii subsp conorii, which is transmitted_by dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus). The infection has_symptom fever, has_symptom eschar (usually single), has_symptom regional adenopathy, has_symptom maculopapular rash on extremities. (DO)