Chronic gastritis in former times and now.

The roots of gastritis research stretch far back into the 19th century, and into early decades of the 20th century. Modern aspects in classification of gastritis and knowledge of the biologic course of chronic gastric inflammation, and of the links of chronic gastritis with many important gastric disorders were well known even at time of discovery of Helicobacter pylori in 1982. This discovery, however, significantly changed the field and raised the interest of gastroenterologists in gastritis. Chronic gastritis became a curable disease with known etiology and well-established links to main gastric diseases including gastric cancer. The personal view of the author into this history is presented. Some events and observations which were, in his opinion, noteworthy and important in the story of chronic gastritis have been emphasized.