ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a self-assessment questionnaire for hirsutism using the latest cutoff values recommended by the Endocrine Society (ES) for Latin-American women and by the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE). Subject and methods Female premenopausal outpatients (n = 188) completed a self-assessment questionnaire, scoring hair presence across the nine areas evaluated by the modified Ferriman-Gallwey (mFG) scale. The results were compared with clinician-assessed scores rated independently by two trained physicians. Scores in the Hirsuta questionnaire, derived from self-assessment of five areas of the mFG scale, were also evaluated. Results The ethnic composition of the sample was as follows: 23.1% white, 25.8% black, 48.9% mixed, and 2.1% other backgrounds (Indigenous, Asian). The participants had age and BMI of (mean ± standard deviation) 33.7 ± 9.9 years and 29.8 ± 7.21 kg/m2, respectively. The most common areas of excessive hair growth were the chin, upper and lower abdomen, and thighs. Relative to clinician-assessed mFG scores, self-assessed mFG scores had an accuracy of 80% using ES criteria for hirsutism diagnosis, with a sensitivity of 95.45%, specificity of 56.25%, positive predictive value of 30.10%, and negative predictive value of 98.40%. Self-assessed mFG had lower accuracy (71%) for diagnosing hirsutism when the ESHRE criteria were applied. Conclusions Self-assessed mFG had low specificity, limiting its application. The results of this study do not support the use of the self-assessed mFG or Hirsuta scores for diagnosing hirsutism in a clinical setting, although both scoring systems may be useful for screening hirsutism in epidemiological studies. selfassessment self assessment (ES LatinAmerican Latin American ESHRE. . (ESHRE) n 188 FerrimanGallwey Ferriman Gallwey (mFG scale clinicianassessed clinician assessed physicians follows 231 23 1 23.1 white 258 25 8 25.8 black 489 48 9 48.9 mixed 21 2 2.1 Indigenous, Indigenous (Indigenous Asian. Asian Asian) mean deviation 337 33 7 33. 99 9. 298 29 29. 721 7.2 kgm2 kgm kg m2 m kg/m2 respectively chin abdomen thighs selfassessed 80 diagnosis 9545 95 45 95.45% 5625 56 56.25% 3010 30 10 30.10% 9840 98 40 98.40% Selfassessed Self 71% 71 (71% applied application setting studies (ESHRE 18 23. 25. 4 48. 2. 3 72 7. kg/m 954 95.45 562 5 56.25 301 30.10 984 98.40 (71 95.4 56.2 30.1 98.4 (7 95. 56. 30. 98. (

Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis was found in a small cluster of cases in Tejuçuoca, Ceará, Brazil. Tests were carried out to determine its phenotypic characteristics: colony morphology on Ashdown agar and MacConkey agar, biochemical profile in conventional biochemical tests and API 20NE, arabinose assimilation and susceptibility testing by disk diffusion, comparing with data in the literature. This study confirms the presence of B. pseudomallei in Brazil and describes its characteristics.

Knowledge of epidemiological and mycological characteristics of onychomycosis has been noted by many authors as being an important tool for control of these fungal infections. This study seeks to improve knowledge of onychomycosis epidemiology and mycological features. Samples were taken from infected fingernails and toenails of 976 patients undergoing treatment at a respected Dermatology Center in Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil. Specimens from 512 patients (52%) were positive for onychomycosis. From the culture-positive samples, yeasts of the genus Candida (C. albicans, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, C. parapsilosis) were dominant. The dermatophytes isolated (Trichophyton rubrum, T. tonsurans, T. mentagrophytes var. mentagrophytes) were dominant in 46 patients (12.99%). The mould Fusarium spp. was isolated from 29 patients (8.19%). Yeast of the genus Candida is the main causal factor in onychomycosis in our region. Also, the study showed the importance of performing direct examination and culture in diagnosis of onychomycosis.