<Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> It has been suggested that Polysaccharide encapsulated bacteria be merged into this article . (Discuss) Proposed since November 2017 . </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> It has been suggested that Polysaccharide encapsulated bacteria be merged into this article . (Discuss) Proposed since November 2017 . </Td> </Tr> <P> The cell capsule is a very large structure of some prokaryotic cells, such as bacterial cells . It is a polysaccharide layer that lies outside the cell envelope of bacteria, and is thus deemed part of the outer envelope of a bacterial cell . It is a well - organized layer, not easily washed off, and it can be the cause of various diseases . </P> <P> The capsule--which can be found in both Gram - negative bacteria and Gram - positive bacteria--should not be confused with the second lipid membrane (or bacterial outer membrane), which contains lipopolysaccharides and lipoproteins and is found only in Gram - negative bacteria . When the amorphous viscid secretion (that makes up the capsule) diffuses into the surrounding medium and remains as a loose undemarcated secretion, it is known as slime layer . </P>

Can a slime layer be considered a virulence factor