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Umbilical cord leukocytes were observed for spontaneous in vitro transformation. Leukocytes from one of 696 specimens transformed into rapidly and persistently multiplying lymphoid cells. This finding was interpreted as in utero infection by the Epstein-Barr virus or other leukocyte-transforming agent(s). The neonate whose blood contained leukocytes that transformed spontanously has been under observation for 24 mo; the only abnormalities were mild anemia and possibly a mild lymphocytosis.
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Chang et al. (1973) studied this question.
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