What Researchers Did
Researchers tested whether high-pressure oxygen at 2.8 ATA changes how well common bacteria resist antibiotics, using a lab chamber to expose bacteria to hyperbaric conditions for 24 hours.
What They Found
For E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis, hyperbaric oxygen did not meaningfully change the minimum antibiotic doses needed to kill them. However, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and related bacteria had their growth completely stopped under 2.8 ATA of 100% oxygen, and this growth suppression was reversible when pressure was removed.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
This was a lab-only study using bacteria in broth, results in living human tissue may differ because of immune cells, blood flow, and other biological factors.