Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the H. pylori virulence genes including cagA, vacA, iceA2, babA2, and oipA of patients with chronic gastritis, precancerous gastric lesions, and GC, and to determine whether the virulence genes are associated with the risk of chronic gastritis, precancerous gastric lesions, and GC. Here, S100A8 is linked to chronic gastritis.