Final answer:
Diphyllobothrium latum, the broad or fish tapeworm, causes vitamin B12 deficiency, leading to megaloblastic anemia when ingested from undercooked or raw fish.
Step-by-step explanation:
Diphyllobothrium latum, known as the broad or fish tapeworm, is a parasite that can lead to a type of vitamin deficiency in humans when ingested typically through undercooked or raw fish. The specific vitamin deficiency caused by Diphyllobothrium latum is a deficiency of vitamin B12, which can result in megaloblastic anemia. This type of anemia is characterized by large, abnormal red blood cells and is related to insufficient vitamin B12 and/or folate. This deficiency occurs because the tapeworm absorbs vitamin B12 in the human intestine, making less available for the host to utilize.
Infestations can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, and neurological problems due to the role of vitamin B12 in red blood cell formation and nervous system function. Proper cooking of fish and freezing at specific temperatures can prevent infection with this tapeworm.