Cerebral Malaria and Multi-Organ Dysfunction Caused by Plasmodium vivax in an Adult: A case from Oman with a literature review.
Saba M Al Kindi, Shabnam Chhetri, Zahrah Z Al Aamri, Suchata D Dhuri, Zakariya Y Al Balushi, Faryal Khamis
Abstract
Open AccessCerebral malaria is a life-threatening complication most commonly associated with Plasmodium falciparum. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first documented case in Oman of a previously healthy 38-year-old Pakistani male who presented to the Emergency Department of a tertiary care hospital in 2025 with cerebral malaria and multi-organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) caused by Plasmodium vivax, confirmed by peripheral blood smear and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The patient was treated with intravenous (IV) artesunate and supportive intensive care, resulting in full neurological recovery. This case highlights the importance of considering P. vivax as a potential cause of severe malaria, even in non-endemic regions.