Experimental Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen on Selected Clostridial Species. II. In-Vivo Studies in Mice

The use of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) for gas gangrene was evaluated by two in-vivo methods. Clostridium perfringens normally multiplied in small agar disks implanted in mice, but were killed when mice were exposed to HBO at 3 atmospheres absolute pressure (ATA). The inclusion of 2% blood or 10% muscle in the disks partially protected C. perfringens from inactivation by HBO in vivo. Mortality of mice given intramuscular injections of washed, log-phase C. perfringens with 10 µg of adrenalin was markedly reduced (approximately 50% difference) by an intensive schedule of exposure to HBO at 2 ATA or 3 ATA, but not by a less intensive schedule. Mortality due to clostridial infection initiated by bacteria plus 3% CaCl2 decreased less as a result of exposures to HBO. Pathology of a localized, nonlethal clostridial infection was decreased by exposures to HBO. These data encourage use of HBO for gas gangrene.