Rui Zhang, BA » Choroidal MRSA Abscess

Apr 15 2021 by Rui Zhang, BA

A 14-year-old boy receiving induction chemotherapy for acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) complained of floaters and central scotoma in his left eye. (A) Fundus photography showed sub-macular choroidal abscess with intraretinal hemorrhage and edema. (B) OCT confirmed that the abscess had not penetrated the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Due to systemic septic signs (fever, tachycardia, tachypnea, new-onset papules), blood cultures were drawn and they came back positive for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Patient was promptly treated with both IV and intravitreal antibiotics. This is a case of sub-macular choroidal MRSA abscess in the setting of systemic bacteremia in an immunocompromised host.

Photographer: Raymond Mok, CRA COMT (Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center)

Imaging device: Optical coherence tomography

Condition/keywords: abscess, acute leukemia, MRSA sepsis