Which chemical is recommended for disinfection in certain cases of Creutzfeld-Jakob disease?

Sodium hydroxide, often referred to as caustic soda or lye, is highly effective in the inactivation of prions, which are the infectious agents responsible for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Unlike many other disinfectants, sodium hydroxide is capable of breaking down the resistant proteins that cause this disease. Its strong alkaline nature allows it to denature the prion proteins, effectively making it one of the recommended disinfectants in healthcare settings when dealing with tissues that may be contaminated with these agents.

While other disinfectants, such as sodium hypochlorite (bleach), are effective against a variety of pathogens, they are not as effective against prions. Hydrogen peroxide and alcohol, while useful for a range of microbial organisms, do not specifically target prion structures effectively. Therefore, the unique properties of sodium hydroxide make it the recommended choice for disinfection in cases involving Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.