Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for evaluating a subject for chronic immune disease, including predicting whether a subject is susceptible to a chronic immune disease, diagnosing whether a subject has a chronic immune disease and/or determining a treatment for a subject suffering from a chronic immune disease. Aspects of the methods include obtaining an intestinal bacterial assessment for the subject and using the assessment to provide the evaluation. In addition, reagents and kits thereof that find use in practicing the subject methods are provided. Furthermore, methods of treating a subject for a chronic immune disease are provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for evaluating a subject for chronic immune disease, including predicting whether a subject is susceptible to a chronic immune disease, diagnosing whether a subject has a chronic immune disease and/or determining a treatment for a subject suffering from a chronic immune disease. Aspects of the methods include genotyping a subject to determine whether the subject has a least one polymorphism in at least one gene chosen from TLR4, Hsp60, IL-23R, IL-6 and IL-17F. In addition, reagents, devices and kits thereof that find use in practicing the subject methods are provided.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for use in the diagnosis and treatment of a host suffering from a chronic immune disease. In the diagnostic methods of the subject invention, a host derived sample, typically PBMC or a derivative thereof is assayed for the presence of low molecular weight fragments of RNase L, typically in conjunction with an evaluation of caspase activity. The results of this assay are then employed to diagnose and/or characterize a chronic immune disease in the host. In the treatment methods of the subject invention, an effective amount of agent capable of enhancing RNase L homodimer activity in the host, e.g., in host PBMC, is administered to the host. Also provided are methods for identifying agents having RNase L cleavage-inhibitory activity or RNase L fragment antagonist activity.

Abstract: Methods are providing for characterizing multiple sclerosis disease activity in a subject. In the subject methods, a sample is obtained from a subject suspected of having or known to have multiple sclerosis. The sample is then assayed for the presence of both high and low molecular proteins having RNAse L activity and a ratio of these two proteins is derived. The resultant ratio is then used to characterize the MS disease activity in the subject, e.g. to confirm an initial MS diagnosis, to determine the stage of the disease, to monitor disease progression, to predict disease attacks, and the like. Also provided by the subject invention are kits for practicing the methods.