It was shown by
Austin that the spirochete could not survive if transferred in air
to another host, but would survive if transferred in a gas mixture
of 4% oxygen. This demonstrated that the spirochete could not
survive in an oxygen partial pressure of 160-mm Hg (the partial
pressure of oxygen in air), but could survive in a partial pressure
of 30-mm Hg (which is the partial pressure of 4% oxygen at 1
atmosphere, absolute (ground level pressure). Therefore, it seems
clear that a lethal level of oxygen for the spirochete falls
somewhere between 30 mm Hg, and 160 mm Hg.
It also is known that while the inspired partial pressure of oxygen
is approximately 160 mm Hg, at the tissue level, the partial
pressure of oxygen normally is approximately 30-35 mm Hg. Thus, it
would not be expected that breathing air at ground level would cause
any damage to the spirochete. However, if the patient were placed in
a hyperbaric chamber and the pressure increased to 2. 36
atmospheres, absolute (ata), the total barometric pressure would be
1794 mm Hg. If the patient were then to breathe pure oxygen the
inspired partial pressure of oxygen would be 1794 mm Hg.
Inspired oxygen is diluted by carbon dioxide and water vapor in the
alveoli, so that the arterial blood would be exposed to an oxygen
partial pressure of approximately 1700-mm Hg, and the tissue oxygen
would be between 200 and 300 mm Hg. This clearly would be above
lethal oxygen levels for the spirochete since it is expected that
oxygen normally would diffuse throughout all cells of the body.
This partial pressure of oxygen can be safely achieved in a
hyperbaric chamber, and the patients can tolerate this level for 90
minutes or longer quite successfully.
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