Abstract: Cerebral malaria (CM) is a common and fatal neurological disorder caused by Plasmodium falciparum. The neurological damage it induces is irreversible and lethal, with clinical manifestations primarily including impaired consciousness and seizures. Artesunate is the first-line treatment for CM, yet the management of severe CM remains clinically challenging, and survivors may experience cognitive impairment or behavioral abnormalities. This study presents a successfully treated case of CM complicated with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). The patient was a middle-aged Chinese male who worked as a laborer in Africa and had lived and worked there for six months. He initially presented with recurrent fever and chills, followed by neuropsychiatric symptoms, impaired liver and kidney function, and respiratory failure. On the basis of adequate and full-course artesunate antimalarial therapy, combined with comprehensive treatment including antibiotics, corticosteroids, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), and mechanical ventilation, the patient's condition stabilized. His consciousness cleared, and organ functions showed significant improvement. This report aims to highlight the clinical features of multi-system involvement in CM and its comprehensive treatment strategies, in order to assist clinicians in providing more targeted and effective treatment for patients with severe malaria, thereby improving prognosis and reducing hospital stays.

Key words: Cerebral malaria, Multiple organ failure, Artesunate, Comprehensive therapy