Abstract: A novel association between certain tumor necrosis factor microsatellite alleles and Crohn's disease has been discovered. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided methods for screening for Crohn's disease comprising detecting the presence or absence of nucleic acid of a subject encoding TNF microsatellite alleles associated with Crohn's disease, wherein the presence of nucleic acid encoding three or more of the alleles is indicative of Crohn's disease. Kits useful for screening for Crohn's disease are also provided which comprise nucleic acid encoding TNF microsatellite alleles associated with Crohn's disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods based on serological and genetic markers for diagnosing clinical subtypes of Crohn's disease (CD) having characteristic responsiveness to anti-Th1 cytokine therapy. In the methods of the inventions the presence of perinuclear anti-neutrophil antibody (pANCA), the presence of the TNFa10b4c1d3e3 haplotype or the presence TNFa11b4c1d3e3 haplotype each are independently diagnostic of a clinical subtype of CD having an inferior clinical response to anti-Th1 cytokine therapy. In addition, the presence of the homozygous TNF-&bgr; 1111 haplotype involving the TNFc, aa13L, aa26 and NcoI loci is independently diagnostic of a clinical subtype of CD having an inferior clinical response to anti-Th1 cytokine therapy. The presence of speckling anti-pan polymorphonuclear antibody (SAPPA) is diagnostic of a clinical subtype of CD having a superior clinical response to anti-Th1 cytokine therapy.

Abstract: A novel association between certain tumor necrosis factor microsatellite alleles and Crohn's disease has been discovered. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided methods for screening for Crohn's disease comprising detecting the presence or absence of nucleic acid of a subject encoding TNF microsatellite alleles associated with Crohn's disease, wherein the presence of nucleic acid encoding three or more of the alleles is indicative of Crohn's disease. Kits useful for screening for Crohn's disease are also provided which comprise nucleic acid encoding TNF microsatellite alleles associated with Crohn's disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides serological and genetic methods of diagnosing a medically resistant clinical subtype of ulcerative colitis UC. The present invention provides a method of diagnosing a medically resistant clinical subtype of UC by determining the presence or absence of anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA) in a patient with UC, where the presence of ASCA indicates the medically resistant clinical subtype of UC. The present invention also provides a method of diagnosing a medically resistant clinical subtype of UC by determining the presence or absence of a TNFa2b1c2d4e1 haplotype in a patient with UC, where the presence of said TNFa2b1c2d4e1 haplotype indicates the medically resistant clinical subtype of UC.

Abstract: Provided is a method of determining a risk of pouchitis development following a surgical procedure whereby colon is removed and an internal pouch is created in a patient with UC by determining a first pANCA titer, where the first pANCA titer is determined following the surgical procedure; determining a second pANCA titer at a later time; and comparing the first pANCA titer and the second pANCA titer, where a significantly elevated second pANCA titer indicates an increased risk of pouchitis development.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of diagnosing a clinical subtype of Crohn's disease (CD) by determining whether perinuclear anti-neutrophil antibody (pANCA) is present in a patient with CD, where the presence of pANCA indicates a clinical subtype of CD with features of ulcerative colitis (UC). Also provided is a method of diagnosing a clinical subtype of Crohn's disease in a patient with CD by determining whether pANCA or speckling anti-pan polymorphonuclear antibody (SAPPA) is present in the patient with CD, where the presence of pANCA indicates a clinical subtype of CD with features of ulcerative colitis and where the presence of SAPPA indicates a clinical subtype of CD having perforating, fistulizing or small bowel obstructive disease.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of diagnosing a clinical subtype of Crohn's disease (CD) by determining whether perinuclear anti-neutrophil antibodies (pANCA) are present in a patient with CD, where the presence of pANCA indicates the clinical subtype of CD with features of ulcerative colitis (UC). The invention also provides a method of diagnosing a clinical subtype of CD by detecting an Arg.sup.241 allele at an ICAM-1 locus in a patient with CD, where the Arg.sup.241 allele indicates a clinical subtype of CD with features of ulcerative colitis. In addition, the invention provides a method of diagnosing a pANCA-positive subtype of CD by detecting an Arg.sup.241 allele at an ICAM-1 locus in a patient with CD, where the Arg.sup.241 allele indicates the pANCA-positive subtype of CD.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of diagnosing a clinical subtype of Crohn's disease (CD) by determining whether perinuclear anti-neutrophil antibodies (pANCA) are present in a patient with CD, where the presence of pANCA indicates the clinical subtype of CD with features of ulcerative colitis (UC). The invention also provides a method of diagnosing a clinical subtype of CD by detecting an Arg.sup.241 allele at an ICAM-1 locus in a patient with CD, where the Arg.sup.241 allele indicates a clinical subtype of CD with features of ulcerative colitis. In addition, the invention provides a method of diagnosing a pANCA-positive subtype of CD by detecting an Arg.sup.241 allele at an ICAM-1 locus in a patient with CD, where the Arg.sup.241 allele indicates the pANCA-positive subtype of CD.