Once ubiquitous, H. pylori is now found in just 6 per cent of children in Western countries. Over the last half-century, ‘this ancient, persistent, nearly universal and dominant inhabitant of the human stomach has been essentially disappearing,’ writes Blaser. Its loss means that fewer people suffer from ulcers and stomach cancer – clearly, a good thing. But if Blaser is right, the same loss may have precipitated a rise in reflux and oesophageal cancer. Which matters more, the pros or the cons?
