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Search Diseases

search_diseases

Read-onlyIdempotent

Search Orphanet's rare disease names, synonyms, and definitions using keywords or ORPHAcode. Retrieve relevance-ranked disease codes and names, with forward pagination for larger result sets.

Instructions

Full-text search over Orphanet disease names, synonyms, and definitions (FTS, relevance-ranked). Returns {orpha_code, name, score} plus a pagination block {total, returned, limit, offset, truncated, next_offset}. When truncated, next_commands carries a forward-page step. Obsolete terms are excluded unless include_obsolete=true. Signature: search_diseases(query, limit=, offset=, include_obsolete=, response_mode=).

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema

Name	Required	Description	Default
`limit`	No	Max hits (default 25).
`query`	Yes	A disease label, synonym, or ORPHAcode (ORPHA:166024 or 166024).
`offset`	No	Rows to skip for forward paging (default 0).
`response_mode`	No	Verbosity: minimal\|compact\|standard\|full (default compact).	compact
`include_obsolete`	No	Include obsolete terms (default false).

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

Changed2 schema fields changedv0.4.0Jul 17, 2026

addedInput schema / properties / query / maxLength
```
Added value: +256
```

changedOutput schema / (root)

Previous value: -{
-  "additionalProperties": true,
-  "properties": {
-    "_meta": {
-      "additionalProperties": true,
-      "type": "object"
-    },
-    "allowed_values": {
-      "type": "array"
-    },
-    "candidates": {
-      "type": "array"
-    },
-    "error_code": {
-      "type": "string"
-    },
-    "field": {
-      "type": "string"
-    },
-    "hint": {
-      "type": "string"
-    },
-    "include_obsolete": {
-      "type": "boolean"
-    },
-    "limit": {
-      "type": "integer"
-    },
-    "message": {
-      "type": "string"
-    },
-    "next_offset": {
-      "type": "integer"
-    },
-    "offset": {
-      "type": "integer"
-    },
-    "query": {
-      "type": "string"
-    },
-    "recovery_action": {
-      "type": "string"
-    },
-    "results": {
-      "items": {
-        "additionalProperties": true,
-        "properties": {
-          "definition": {
-            "additionalProperties": true,
-            "properties": {
-              "kind": {
-                "const": "untrusted_text",
-                "type": "string"
-              },
-              "provenance": {
-                "additionalProperties": true,
-                "properties": {
-                  "record_id": {
-                    "type": "string"
-                  },
-                  "retrieved_at": {
-                    "type": "string"
-                  },
-                  "source": {
-                    "type": "string"
-                  }
-                },
-                "type": "object"
-              },
-              "raw_sha256": {
-                "type": "string"
-              },
-              "text": {
-                "type": "string"
-              }
-            },
-            "type": [
-              "object",
-              "null"
-            ]
-          },
-          "definition_snippet": {
-            "additionalProperties": true,
-            "properties": {
-              "kind": {
-                "const": "untrusted_text",
-                "type": "string"
-              },
-              "provenance": {
-                "additionalProperties": true,
-                "properties": {
-                  "record_id": {
-                    "type": "string"
-                  },
-                  "retrieved_at": {
-                    "type": "string"
-                  },
-                  "source": {
-                    "type": "string"
-                  }
-                },
-                "type": "object"
-              },
-              "raw_sha256": {
-                "type": "string"
-              },
-              "text": {
-                "type": "string"
-              }
-            },
-            "type": [
-              "object",
-              "null"
-            ]
-          },
-          "name": {
-            "type": "string"
-          },
-          "orpha_code": {
-            "type": "string"
-          },
-          "score": {
-            "type": "number"
-          }
-        },
-        "type": "object"
-      },
-      "type": "array"
-    },
-    "retryable": {
-      "type": "boolean"
-    },
-    "returned": {
-      "type": "integer"
-    },
-    "success": {
-      "type": "boolean"
-    },
-    "total": {
-      "type": "integer"
-    },
-    "truncated": {
-      "type": "boolean"
-    }
-  },
-  "type": "object"
-}New value: +null

Changed6 schema fields changedv0.3.0Jul 11, 2026

addedOutput schema / properties / results / items / properties / definition / additionalProperties
```
Added value: +true
```

addedOutput schema / properties / results / items / properties / definition / properties

Added value: +{
+  "kind": {
+    "const": "untrusted_text",
+    "type": "string"
+  },
+  "provenance": {
+    "additionalProperties": true,
+    "properties": {
+      "record_id": {
+        "type": "string"
+      },
+      "retrieved_at": {
+        "type": "string"
+      },
+      "source": {
+        "type": "string"
+      }
+    },
+    "type": "object"
+  },
+  "raw_sha256": {
+    "type": "string"
+  },
+  "text": {
+    "type": "string"
+  }
+}

changedOutput schema / properties / results / items / properties / definition / type

Previous value: -[
-  "string",
-  "null"
-]New value: +[
+  "object",
+  "null"
+]

addedOutput schema / properties / results / items / properties / definition_snippet / additionalProperties
```
Added value: +true
```

addedOutput schema / properties / results / items / properties / definition_snippet / properties

Added value: +{
+  "kind": {
+    "const": "untrusted_text",
+    "type": "string"
+  },
+  "provenance": {
+    "additionalProperties": true,
+    "properties": {
+      "record_id": {
+        "type": "string"
+      },
+      "retrieved_at": {
+        "type": "string"
+      },
+      "source": {
+        "type": "string"
+      }
+    },
+    "type": "object"
+  },
+  "raw_sha256": {
+    "type": "string"
+  },
+  "text": {
+    "type": "string"
+  }
+}

changedOutput schema / properties / results / items / properties / definition_snippet / type
```
Previous value: -"string"New value: +[
+  "object",
+  "null"
+]
```

First observedv0.1.0Jun 18, 2026

TDQS

A4.2/5.0

Behavior4/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

Annotations already indicate readOnly, idempotent, non-destructive. The description adds transparency about return structure (orpha_code, name, score, pagination), pagination handling (next_offset, truncated), and exclusion of obsolete terms by default. This adds value beyond annotations.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is concise, front-loaded with the main purpose, and includes essential details without fluff. Every sentence adds value.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the complexity (5 parameters, no output schema), the description adequately explains the return data and pagination. It covers key behavioral aspects like obsolete term handling and provides a signature. Missing output schema limits completeness slightly.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema coverage is 100%, so baseline is 3. The description recaps the signature and notes pagination behavior but does not significantly enhance the meaning of individual parameters beyond the schema's descriptions.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the tool performs full-text search over Orphanet disease names, synonyms, and definitions, with relevance ranking. It distinguishes from sibling tools which are specialized (e.g., find_diseases_by_gene, get_disease).

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description implicitly indicates when to use this tool (for free-text disease search) by listing what it searches and providing a signature. It does not explicitly state when not to use or mention alternatives, but sibling names provide context.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

Search Diseases

Instructions

Input Schema

Schema Changelog

TDQS

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