The genome of the organism that produces the world's most lethal toxin has been revealed. This toxin is the major weapon in the genome of Clostridium botulinum: less than two kg is enough to kill every person on the planet.
Tension pneumothorax: The most serious type of pneumothorax, this occurs when the pressure in the pleural space is greater than the atmospheric pressure, either because air becomes trapped in the pleural space or because the entering air is from a positive-pressure mechanical ventilator.
Back to TopCauses. Any condition that leads to pneumothorax can cause a tension pneumothorax. In uncomplicated pneumothorax, air can enter and leave the pleural space easily. In tension pneumothorax, however, air enters the pleural space with each breath and gets trapped there. As the amount of trapped air increases, pressure builds up in the chest.