A male prostitute alleged to have knowingly infected clients with HIV fears for his safety in prison, a court has heard.

The 36-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared in Melbourne Magistrates Court this afternoon and did not apply for bail.

Police arrested the man in Reservoir yesterday afternoon after an investigation into alleged sexual services being offered from a house in Melbourne's northern suburbs.

The court heard that between January 1, 2011 and May 23, 2012, the sex worker recklessly engaged in "sexual intercourse with other persons whilst knowingly being infected with HIV that placed persons in danger of death".

The services were allegedly advertised in gay publications.