Delayed engagement of host defenses enables SARS-CoV-2 viremia and productive infection of distal organs in the hamster model of COVID-19
In golden hamsters, productive SARS-CoV-2 replication in the airways generates circulating type I and III interferon that primes every organ against infection, and blunting or bypassing that airway response permits viremia and productive infection of liver, kidney, spleen and brain.