[Role of slime in the pathogenesis of pulmonary infections].

Microorganisms have proved to produce an amorphous substance that adheres to surfaces of several medical devices like intravenous catheters and endotracheal tubes. We investigated the presence of slime in endotracheal tubes in our Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in 12 patients. We found in this study no correlation between the strain of bacteria on the surface of endotracheal devices and those responsible for pneumonia.