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.
Pneumothorax occurs when air enters the space around your lungs, or the pleural space. Air can find its way into the pleural space when thereâs an open injury in your chest wall or a tear or rupture in your lung, disrupting the pressure that keeps your lungs inflated. Itâs known as a tension pneumothorax when the lung wall is affected, or an open pneumothorax when the chest wall is affected. Causes of ruptured or injured chest or lung walls can include lung disease, injury from a sport, or even changes in air pressure that you experience when scuba diving or mountain climbing. Sometimes, the cause of pneumothorax is unknown.