['Inhibition of caspases improves the antibacterial capacity of leukocytes cultured with peritoneal dialysis solutions, and improves the prognosis of septic, polymicrobial experimental peritonitis.', 'To test whether inhibition of caspases alters the evolution of peritonitis in the presence of peritoneal dialysis solution.', '32 mice were assigned to therapy with either the pan-caspase inhibitor zVAD or vehicle for 48 hours following infection with Staphylococcus aureus, in the presence of lactate-buffered, 4.25% glucose peritoneal dialysis solution. 16 mice received vehicle in phosphate-buffered saline.', 'Number of bacteria recovered from the peritoneum at 48 hours.', 'Peritoneal dialysis solution accelerated leukocyte apoptosis. zVAD decreased the number of apoptotic peritoneal leukocytes and the number of bacteria recovered from the peritoneum at 48 hours (zVAD 2.8 +/- 0.3 vs vehicle 3.9 +/- 0.2 log colony forming units of S. aureus, p = 0.007).'] Does inhibition of caspases improve bacterial clearance in experimental peritonitis?