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HIV 'spreading in mini epidemics'
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HIV is spreading among gay men in mini-epidemics, a study published today found.
Data from more than 2,000 infected men in London showed distinct clusters or "bursts" of the disease.
Researchers now believe targeted local campaigns in bars, nightclubs and via the internet could be the most effective way of curbing the spread of the disease by sexual contact.
The University of Edinburgh study was carried out with Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London, using data collected between 1997 and 2003.
It found many men who became infected with the virus passed it on within a few months, often before they themselves had been diagnosed as HIV positive.
Professor Andrew Leigh Brown of the University of Edinburgh's school of biological sciences, who led the study, said: "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.
"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."
Prof Leigh Brown said such a pattern had been seen occasionally among HIV-infected drug users but had not been identified in sexual transmission until now.
He added: "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."
Prof Leigh Brown said the study findings indicated that 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."
He added that bars and nightclubs could be targeted, as could the internet.
The research is published in the Public Library of Science (PLoS) Medicine journal.
