Did Romans give us HIV?

3:50pm Friday 5th September 2008

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HEALTH experts have denied suggestions that people living in North Yorkshire could be more vulnerable to AIDS because of the region’s Roman heritage.

Research carried out in France and published in the latest edition of a renowned science journal says people living in lands conquered by the Roman army had less protection against HIV than those in countries which they never reached.

Their findings suggest a gene which can make people less susceptible to the killer virus is more commonly found in areas of Europe where the Roman Empire never reached.

According to study leader Dr Eric Faure, of Provence University, the gene in question lacks certain DNA elements, which means HIV cannot link to it so easily and makes the virus less likely to infect cells.

Speaking in the New Scientist, he said a study of 19,000 DNA samples from across Europe showed the gene was not as common in regions conquered by the Romans.

Although North Yorkshire was not specifically mentioned in the research, York and its surrounding areas have long prided itself on their well-documented links to the Roman Empire, which bring millions of pounds into the region’s economy every year.

But HIV specialist Dr Ian Fairley, a doctor in genitor-urinary medicine at York Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said the study’s findings should not increase anybody’s fears about the chances of contracting the disease.

“This is interesting research, but genetic variability should make no difference to how people behave on a day-to-day basis with regard to HIV,” he said. “The single best way to prevent HIV infection is to practise safe sex and use condoms.

“If people are unsure of their HIV status or believe they might be HIV positive, they should be tested.

“A great deal of progress has been made in the drug treatments which are available for people with HIV, and if people are tested and found to be HIV positive, they can begin to benefit from these treatments as soon as possible.”

In his report, Dr Faure added that he believed the Romans had carried a disease which proved particularly deadly to people carrying the gene variant which can lengthen the odds of HIV occurring, reducing its chances of being carried on through generations of families.

York has a rich Roman history, having been founded as Eboracum in AD 71 and being made one of two capitals of Roman Britain.