Final answer:
High-risk sets for special prion processing include brain and spinal cord tissues, and medical instruments that have been exposed to prions, due to their resistance to standard sterilization methods.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prions are infectious agents responsible for fatal diseases like kuru and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. These agents are incredibly challenging to destroy as they are resistant to heat, chemicals, and radiation. High-risk sets for special prion processing include tissues and instruments that have been in contact with the central nervous system (CNS) of infected individuals or animals. This is due to the prion proteins (PrPSC) that remain infectious even after standard disinfection protocols. Special focus is on neurosurgical instruments, as well as brain and spinal cord tissues that could facilitate disease transmission if not properly handled.
Medical settings dealing with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and other transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) require rigorous safety protocols. The World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer guidelines to mitigate infection risks tied to prion-contaminated materials. Despite research advancements, there is no cure for TSE, making prevention via careful handling of high-risk sets crucial.