SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Syrian hamster model causes inflammation as well as type I interferon dysregulation in both respiratory and non-respiratory tissues including the heart and kidney

SARS-CoV-2 infection in Syrian hamsters caused not only respiratory inflammation but also heart and kidney injuries. These responses were correlated with the induction of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF) and type II interferon, but not type I interferon. The myocarditis as well as microthrombi were observed in the heart, and tubular inflammation was observed in the kidney.