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New Study Shows HIV Spreads Through Mini Epidemics

A new study from the University of Edinburgh has observed mini-epidemics of HIV infections among gay men.

The data shows distinct clusters or "bursts" of the disease being contracted in London.

The study found many men who became infected with the virus passed it on within a few months, before many of them had been diagnosed.

"By studying changes in the virus over time, we have been able to pinpoint its progress in stages through the groups of men affected, which until now has not been done effectively," said Professor Andrew Leigh Brown of the University of Edinburgh's school of biological sciences.

"What we have discovered is that some of the spread occurred in bursts, with groups of people becoming infected within a short period of time."

"The tightness of clusters that we have found is frightening. The results raise concerns that a drug-resistant version of the virus could spread quickly, causing a mini-epidemic which is hard to treat."

"It is important that information on the virus is available to gay men in the local areas where they are known to meet, to try to arrest the spread of HIV and AIDS," he added.

Prof Leigh Brown said the findings indicate the safe sex message was not getting through.

"If we can find out how and where these clusters are occurring then we could target the appropriate groups," adding that that bars, nightclubs and the internet should become the focus of spreading the message to prevent tranmissions taking place.

The research, which was carried out with Chelsea and Westminster Hospital using data collected between 1997 and 2003, is published in the Public Library of Science Medicine journal.

Author: Joanne Oatts

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