When we specifically analysed different definitions of HP status such as current, VacA+ or CagA+ infections for their HP–EA risk association, the protective effect of HP remained significant in the wild-type genotype of MMP2 −1306C/C (AOR ranged from 0.16 to 0.35) and abrogated in patients carrying any variant allele. The gene discussed is S100A8; the disease is infection.