Longitudinal Study of the Human Intestinal Microbiome

Condition(s) targeted: Intestinal Microbiome

Intervention: Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (Drug)

Phase: N/A

Status: Not yet recruiting

Sponsored by: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)

Overall contact:
Carol O Tacket, Phone: (410) 706-8437

The purpose of this study is to identify the human intestinal microbiota (microbes that live inside and on human bodies) in healthy adults over a 6-month period and to study the effect of an antibiotic on the intestinal microbiota. Participants will include 50 healthy adult subjects, age 18-45 years, from the Baltimore and University of Maryland communities. Study procedures will include providing multiple stool samples throughout the study. Participants will take a licensed antibiotic, Ciprofloxacin, for 3 days. Participants may be involved in study related procedures for up to 7 months.

Official title: Longitudinal Study of the Human Intestinal Microbiome Before and After Antibiotic Administration

Study design: Other, Non-Randomized, Open Label, Single Group Assignment

Primary outcome:

Analysis of GI microbial community composition using the Affymetrix PhyloChip Platform.

Surveys of GI microbiome diversity using 16S rDNA analysis at the Institute of Genome Sciences.

Isolation of Genomic DNA from stool samples.

Detailed description: The purpose of this study is to describe the intestinal microbiomes of a cohort of healthy adult subjects over a 6-month period of time. Many questions about the human microbiota exist. Previous studies have shown that the differences among individuals are greater than the differences among different sampling sites in a single individual. Fifty healthy adult subjects, age 18-45 years, from the Baltimore and University of Maryland Baltimore communities will be recruited and screened to document their health status. A brief medical history, including recent travel and antibiotic use, will be recorded. Subjects will provide a stool specimen for genomic analysis of the intestinal microbiome over a 6-month period at the following intervals: Day 0, Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 8, Week 12, Week 13, Week 14, Week 15, Week 16, Week 20, and Week 24. At Week 12, subjects will receive a 3-day course of oral Ciprofloxacin 500 mg every12 hours. Weekly stool specimens will be obtained beginning with the first day of antibiotic use and for 4 Weeks thereafter. Then monthly specimens of stool and other sites will be resumed at Week 16. The primary objective is to define the human intestinal microbiome in healthy adults in a longitudinal fashion. The secondary objective is to define the re-colonization of the intestine after treatment with a broad-spectrum antibiotic using comprehensive genomic techniques.

Minimum age: 18 Years. Maximum age: 45 Years. Gender(s): Both.

Criteria:

Inclusion Criteria:

- Male or female, age 18-45 years, inclusive.

- Healthy as, determined by screening medical history, medication history, and absence

of acute illness such as gastrointestinal or respiratory infection.

- Capable of understanding, consenting and complying with the entire study protocol.

- Provide voluntary written Informed Consent.

- Females of childbearing potential are required to utilize an appropriate method of

contraception [abstinence, oral contraceptives, intrauterine device, condoms with spermicidal foam, surgical sterilization depots and injectable contraceptives, or diaphragms with spermicidal jelly or cream] 30 days prior to the Week 12 visit.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Chronic diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, or other

gastrointestinal disorder, gastrointestinal surgery (except appendectomy, polypectomy, or herniorraphy), or severe chronic illness such as major organ failure, diabetes, HIV/AIDS.

- Female who is pregnant or lactating; or a female subject with a positive urine

pregnancy test determined at the Week 12 visit.

- History of hypersensitivity to Ciprofloxacin, any member of the quinolone class of

antimicrobial agents, or any compound of the product.

- History of tendinitis or tendon rupture.

- History of seizures other than febrile seizure as a young child.

- Treatment with antibiotics within one month before the initial specimen collection.

- History of clinically significant acute or chronic illness or other condition

requiring chronic medication therapy (including systemic but not intranasal steroids), except for birth control pills, inhalers, anti-anxiety or anti-depression medications.

- History of arrhythmia, family history of QT prolongation or sudden unexplained death.

- History of current or past use of theophylline or tizanidine, due to known interaction

with Ciprofloxacin.

- History of spasticity (due to the potential for requiring tizanidine treatment),

asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung diseases (due to potential for requiring theophylline [or dimethylxanthine] treatment).

- Medical, occupational, or family problems as a result of alcohol or illicit drug use

during the past 12 months.

Carol O Tacket, Phone: (410) 706-8437

University of Maryland Medical School, Baltimore, Maryland 21122, United States

Ending date: December 2009
Last updated: February 12, 2009