Study to Evaluate the Safety of Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG ATCC 53103 (LGG) in Elderly Subjects

This is a phase I, open label clinical trial to evaluate the safety of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) in elderly subjects. Lactobacilli are part of the normal flora of the intestine. LGG is one of several strains of Lactobacilli that is used as a probiotic or microorganism administered to confer "health benefits". Our research is focused on studying the possible therapeutic effects of LGG. The study hypotheses are:

* LGG administered twice daily will be safe and well tolerated in elderly subjects
* LGG will colonize the stool of elderly subjects and will modify the diversity and richness of the microbiota in their nasopharyngeal and stool specimens


Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 65-80 years
2. Willing to complete the informed consent process
3. Able and willing to participate for the planned duration of the study, including availability for follow-up telephone contact
4. Willing to comply with protocol and report on compliance and side effects during the study period
5. Informed consent obtained and signed prior to screening

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Consumption of supplements or food products containing LGG or probiotics for 28 days prior to the start of the study or consumption of yogurt that has the "live and active cultures" seal.
2. Known or suspected allergies to probiotics, Lactobacillus, microcrystalline cellulose, gelatin, or antibiotics that may be used to treat LGG bacteremia or infection (i.e., subject able to tolerate at least 2 of the following regimens - Ampicillin or other beta lactam antibiotic, and Clindamycin, and Moxifloxacin).
3. Received oral or parenteral antibiotics within 4 weeks of enrollment or prescribed antibiotics on the day of enrollment
4. Drug or alcohol abuse within the previous 12 months
5. Hospitalization, major surgery or endoscopy within the last 3 months
6. Scheduled hospital admission within 3 months of enrollment
7. Resident of a nursing home or rehabilitation center
8. Presence of any of the following:

   * Grade 2 or higher abnormal vital signs or abnormalities on physical exam
   * Indwelling catheter or implanted hardware/prosthetic device or feeding tube
   * Active bowel leak, acute abdomen, colitis, or active GI disease or history of gastric or intestinal dysmotility, slowed transit time, variable small intestinal permeability, pancreatitis, history of gastrointestinal tract cancer or inflammatory bowel disease
   * History of Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C infections, cirrhosis, or chronic liver disease
   * Underlying structural heart disease such as abnormal native heart valve or congenital abnormality, previous history of endocarditis or valve replacement, Stage IV congestive heart failure
   * History of peripheral vascular disease or stroke
   * Immunosuppression including HIV positive, solid organ or stem cell transplant recipient, receiving any oral or parenteral immunosuppressive therapy, neutrophil count \<500/mm3, or an anticipated drop in the neutrophil count to \<500/mm3 or active or planned chemotherapy or radiotherapy
   * History of collagen vascular or autoimmune disease
   * End stage renal disease
   * History of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma
   * Diabetes or thyroid disease
   * Active TB
9. Positive drug or alcohol testing at screening or positive breathalyzer at baseline or an unwillingness to undergo drug and alcohol testing
10. Abnormal laboratory tests defined as any of the following:

    * White blood cell (WBC) \< 3.3 or \> 12.0 K/µL
    * Platelets \< 125 K/µL
    * Hemoglobin Males: \< 12.0 g/dL; Females: \< 11.0 g/dL
    * Creatinine \> 1.8 mg/dL
    * Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) \>27 mg/dL
    * Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) \> 1.25 ULN
    * Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) \> 1.25 ULN
    * Alkaline phosphatase \> 2.0 ULN
    * Bilirubin (total) \> 1.5 ULN
    * Glucose (non-fasting ) \>126 mg/dL
    * Positive HIV, Hepatitis B surface antigen or Hepatitis C antibody
11. Any other condition that in the opinion of the investigator would jeopardize the safety or rights of the subject participating in the study or would make it unlikely the subject could complete the study