Standard adenoid swabs were taken from 33 children subjected to adenotomy. The bacterial growth was determined in swabs samples and in homogenates of surgically removed lymphatic tissue. Homogenates were also used for isolation of bacterial DNA. A standard bacteriological examination revealed the presence of Staphylococcus aureus only in 11 children (33%). In stark contrast S. aureus was detected in 20 samples (60%) of homogenized tissue, including all 11 positive swabs specimens. Results of plating were confirmed by molecular test (PCR- polymerase chain reaction). Inconsistent results between swabs and homogenate plating may indicate intracellular localization of S. aureus the tissue of hypertrophic adenoids.