The effect of erythropoietin therapy and hemoglobin levels on the immune response to Engerix-B vaccination in chronic kidney disease.

Background: Patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis have an increased risk of acquiring hepatitis B infection. Only 43-66% of dialysis patients develop effective anti-HBs titers after vaccination.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of recombinant erythropoietin (rEPO) therapy and basal hemoglobin levels on the outcome of the immune response to four doses of IM 40 microg Engerix-B vaccination in hemodialysis and chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients before starting replacement therapy.