[Acute respiratory distress syndrome in endotoxic shock].

Large amounts of lipopolysaccharides released in blood after death of Gram-negative bacteria are responsible for endotoxinemia and endotoxic shock. Endotoxin is eliminated from the body via different routes including the lungs. One of the mechanisms of lipopolysaccharides transport to the lungs, which respond with acute distress syndrome, is their transfer by polymorphonuclear leukocytes.