Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) is the most common form of viral encephalitis caused by HSV-1, and in this study, despite similar levels of gB expression in the CNS of infected mice, all infected mice in the LAT-minus and LAT811bp groups died between days 6 and 7 with a hunched posture and minimal movement, typical symptoms of HSE. Here, LAT is linked to herpes simplex encephalitis.