New research carried out by Belgium's Ghent University suggests that risky sexual behaviour in gay men is fuelling the rise of HIV.
The findings by Belgian scientists show that of 500 newly screened HIV patients observed over a nine year study in the European country, most were young, white, male and gay.
The study also indicates that of the gay men infected, many suffered with other sexually transmitted diseases at the same time - leading to speculation of unsafe sexual practices.
It also shows that 57 men mentioned in the study contracted a genetically similar strand of the virus, many very recently. "Members of this cluster are significantly younger than the rest of the population and have more chlamydia and syphilis infections," claim the researchers in the open access journal BioMed Central Infectious Diseases.
The majority of those infected suffer from the sub-type B strand of the virus, with most non-B cases found in heterosexuals.
The researchers continue: "We clearly demonstrate that, despite the existence of prevention programmes, easily available testing facilities and a supposedly broad public awareness of the infection and its possible routes of transmission, MSM [men who have sex with men] still account for the majority of local onward transmissions."
The research is suggested to be indicative of Europe proper, including the UK. A study released by the Health Protection Agency only last month highlighted a worryingly high STI diagnosis rate in gay men in the UK.
Upon hearing news of the study, Sir Nick Partridge, Chief Executive of the Terrence Higgins Trust, said: "Gay men are still the most at risk of HIV infection in the UK. We also know that more than a quarter of people with HIV in the UK are currently undiagnosed, and they're far more likely to pass the virus on than those who know they have it.
"Targeted HIV prevention programmes are key to reducing the numbers of new infections each year. But we'd also argue for innovative testing services to better diagnose men who've been at most risk."
