I remember years ago when a researcher claimed that stomach ulcers were caused by a virus as well. He was pilloried by the establishment and his career was ruined. Several years later, some other studies came out and proved him correct.
Ya beat me to it.
I remember the study too. As I recall, his researched indicated that MOST stomach ulcers were caused by a virus...
While working as a microbiology research assistant in the mid 70s there was a big stir around a microbiologist whose research showed that ulcers were caused by a specific bacterial infection. He was shouted down and told by the medical community to pound sand because ulcers were caused by stress. It only took about 25 years for his research to be accepted. A bacterial role in atherosclerosis would not be suprising.
I remember that, two men. I think they ended up winning the Nobel Prize in Medicine (a real Nobel not the fake “Peace” one).