Antimicrobial Activity

High oxygen tensions enhance leukocyte oxidative killing capacity and are directly lethal to anaerobic bacteria such as Clostridium perfringens.

Detailed mechanism

Oxygen is utilized by neutrophils and macrophages to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) that destroy bacteria. HBOT is directly bactericidal to obligate anaerobes and enhances the efficacy of certain antibiotics, particularly aminoglycosides.