C3 and infection: (1) gHV68-RCA deficient virus exhibited lower infection efficiency in the brain and periphery (lung and spleen) in acute and chronic infection. (2) C3 deficient caused higher susceptibility to viral latency in the CNS. (3) Lower infection efficiency of gHV68-RCA deficient virus compared to WT virus was absent in C3 deficient mice (but not in FB deficient mice).