In an earlier experiment, MB-003 prevented symptoms in 100 percent of the monkeys when given one hour after coming in contact with the disease. This time, says Mr. Pettitt, investigators waited more than four days to treat the animals. They wanted to see how well the treatment might work in people who are infected with the disease.

The Ebola virus can quickly reproduce and overpower the patient’s immune cells, which protect the body against disease. But, MB-003 stops the virus by targeting a protein on its outer surface. This activates the person’s natural antibodies to kill infected cells.

James Pettitt says the American government is interested in the treatment because of the possible use of the Ebola virus for bioterrorism.

“That’s how it’s labeled by the Centers for Disease Control. So our mission is to protect the war fighter from any potential outbreaks from this in indigenous regions where they might be posted.”

He says researchers now want to try to increase the compound’s effectiveness, at the same time making sure it is safe and effective in humans.

A report about MB-003 as a possible treatment for infection with the virus was published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

Tuberculosis Came From Africa

Scientists say they now have evidence that tuberculosis first appeared in Africa at least 70,000 years ago. Their finding conflicts with the current understanding of when and how tuberculosis came into being. Most scientists say the bacteria first appeared in animals only 10,000 years ago and later spread to human beings.