Polymorphism of glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) locus was analyzed with PCR in patients with generalized forms of surgical infection (n = 47) and in healthy donors (n = 80). Reliable difference was revealed in distribution of zero genotype between patients with sepsis and septic shock (chi 2 = 8.37; p = 0.007) and also between patients with sepsis and organs insufficiency (chi 2 = 5.79; p = 0.02). There were no reliable differences between patients with sepsis and control group (chi 2 = 1.29; p = 0.32). It is concluded that patients--carriers of deletion of GSTM1 gene in homozygote have increased probability of septic shock and polyorganic insufficiency in surgical infection. It can be used as a negative prognostic criterion in clinical practice.