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Our retrospective study carried out from 1985 to 1998 in the Unit of Infectious Diseases in Abidjan aimed at describing the epidemiological, clinical and prognosis features of severe malaria among native adults. Within 14 years, we have listed 274 cases of severe malaria for 54 098 hospitalizations (0.5%). 164 men and 110 women were recorded (sex-ratio = 1.5), aged of 33 years (16-86), among them 48% were HIV positive. 23% of the patients had already received an antimalarial treatment. The main clinical presentation was cerebral malaria (78%). The other manifestations were respiratory symptoms (13%), kidney failure (11%), anaemia (11%), macroscopic haemoglobinuria (6%), hypoglycaemia (9%), cardiovascular shock (4%). The average parasite load in blood was 27 222 plasmodium/microl (25 000 - 180200). The treatment used was quinine IV (172 patients), and arthemeter (102 patients). The outcome was favourable in 232 cases (84%) and 42 patients died. Prognosis factors identified were age > 65 years, Glasgow coma score < 7, convulsions, cardio-vascular shock, macroscopic haemoglobinuria. HIV infection has not been identified as a pejorative factor Our results confirm that severe malaria in native adult is a reality in tropical area. This study shows how difficult it is to have an adequate care management regarding this pathology in our context.