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 filariasis that involves parasitic infection of the skin and eyes caused by the nematode Loa loa, which is transmitted through the bite of a deer fly or mango fly. The disease is characterized by episodic angioedema in the arms and legs, and cyst-like enlargements of the connective tissue around the sheaths of muscle tendons. Dead worms may cause chronic abscesses, which may lead to the formation of granulomatous reactions and fibrosis. (DO)