Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

371
rickets, celiac
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rickets, hypophosphatemic
A rare genetic form
of rickets that is characterized by low blood phos-
phate level (hypophosphatemia), defective intestinal
absorption of phosphate, and unresponsiveness to
vitamin D. The basic problem in hypophosphatemic
rickets is decreased resorption of phosphate by the
tubules in the kidney. Females typically have less
severe disease than males. The condition is inherited
in an X-linked dominant manner. Also known as vita-
min D–resistant rickets. See also 
rickets.
rickets, renal
Rickets-like bone malformations
that are caused by prolonged inflammation of the
kidneys.
rickets, vitamin D–resistant
See 
rickets,
hypophosphatemic.
Rickettsia
A member of genus Rickettsia, a fam-
ily of microorganisms that, like viruses, require
other living cells for growth, but also resemble bac-
teria in that they use oxygen, have metabolic
enzymes and cell walls, and are susceptible to
antibiotics. Rickettsiae cause a series of diseases,
including Rocky Mountain spotted fever, typhus, and
trench fever. Rickettsiae generally have an animal
host and are transmitted to humans by an insect
(usually arthropod) vector. See also 
rickettsial 
diseases.
rickettsial diseases
Infectious diseases caused
by Rickettsiae. See also 
Rickettsia.
rickettsialpox
A mild infectious disease first
observed in New York City that is caused by
Rickettsia akari and is transmitted from its mouse
host by chigger or adult mite bites. Features include
fever, a dark spot that becomes a small ulcer at the
site of the bite, swollen glands (satellite lym-
phadenopathy) near the site of the bite, and a
raised, blistering (vesicular) rash. Treatment is with
antibiotics.