This study was to evaluate the skin sensitization of potassium hydroxide (KOH) by the guinea pig maximization test. In the preliminary test, the induction and challenge dose of KOH were determined as 1.0 and 0.2%, respectively. Guinea pigs were sensitized with intradermal injection of 0.1ml KOH for 24 h. After 1 week, 1.0% of KOH was treated on the site of injection and 0.2% of KOH was challenged 2 weeks later. The average skin reaction evaluated by erythema and edema on the challenge sites and sensitization rate in the KOH-treatment group at 24 h were 0.0 and 0%, respectively, which are substantially low compared with in the 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-treatment group (positive control group) (average skin reaction: 3.0, sensitization rate: 100%) and identical with in the distilled water-treatment group (negative control group), representing a weak sensitizing potential. The average skin reaction and sensitization rate observed at 48 h were 0.0 and 0% in the KOH-treatment group, respectively, and 2.0 and 100% in the positive control group, respectively. It was concluded that 1.0% of KOH classified to Grade I, induced no sensitization when tested in guinea pigs.

Abstract
서 론
재료 및 방법
    시험 물질
    실험동물
    피부 감작성 시험
    관찰 및 평가
결과 및 고찰
    일반증상 및 체중변화
    감작항원량 및 야기항원량
    피부 감작성 평가
REFERENCES

• Du Hyeon Hwang(Institute of Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University)
• Suk Kim(Institute of Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University)
• Euikyung Kim(Institute of Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University)
• Hu-Jang Lee(Institute of Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University) Corresponding Author.