The invention provides methods for predicting the likelihood that a subject will develop a sterile inflammation or will have an increased propensity to later develop a sterile inflammation, for determining whether a subject with tissue damage should be administered an antimicrobial agent (at full or a reduced dosage) or an anti-inflammatory agent, and for treating a subject with tissue damage. In the methods, an increased ratio of the amount of mitochondrial nucleic acid or peptide to the amount of microbial nucleic acid or peptide indicates a subject that has an increased likelihood of developing a sterile inflammation or an increased propensity to later develop a sterile inflammation, or a subject that should not be administered, or that should be administered at a reduced dosage, an antimicrobial agent or one or more anti-inflammatory agents and not an antimicrobial agent. Kits for detecting mitochondrial and/or microbial nucleic acids or peptides are provided.
