A new study finds that men who drink more alcohol are at an increased risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection.

The study was conducted by researchers from Moffitt Cancer Center. HPV is a common virus that is sexually transmitted between partners. More than six million Americans are infected with this virus every year. It also contributes to a number of different cancers in women, including cervical, vaginal and anal cancer. For the study, researchers analyzed potential risk factors for HPV infection in over 1,300 men from Florida. The researchers used DNA analysis to confirm the presence of HPV and the participants answered detailed surveys about alcohol consumption, smoking and sexual activity.

Researchers noted that the men who drank the most alcohol (more than 9.9 gms per day) were at a higher risk of HPV infections. This risk was common across both smokers and non-smokers. Researchers also noted that men who drank more alcohol had an increased risk of HPV infection independent of the number of sexual partners they had.

"Our findings provide additional support to current public health messaging regarding the importance of moderate alcohol consumption, smoking cessation, and safe sex practices.  Additional research is needed to replicate the current findings before clinical interventions can be recommended," explained Matthew Schabath, Ph.D., assistant member of the Cancer Epidemiology Program, in a press statement.

Further explaining this phenomenon, researchers said that alcohol inhibits the body's immune response, causing increased susceptibility to both bacterial and viral infections. A recent study also found that men who consume even moderate amount of alcohol have lower sperm quality.

The study was published online in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections, and was supported by a grant from the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health.