HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – A Connecticut Medical Examining Board panel is recommending a reprimand, two years of probation and a $10,000 fine for a New Haven-area pediatrician whose treatment of Lyme disease has been called into question.

The panel upheld allegations by the state Department of Public Health that Dr. Charles Ray Jones diagnosed Lyme disease in two Nevada children and prescribed antibiotics for them in 2004 and 2005 before ever examining them.

The report also says Jones later examined the son and daughter of Jeffrey and Robin Sparks and insisted they had Lyme disease without any compelling medical evidence.

The recommendations go before the full Examining Board on Dec. 18.

Jones has drawn support from across the country because he has ignored consensus treatment guidelines for Lyme disease and prescribed antibiotics to children from throughout the country, including Maine, with the ailment. Advocates for Lyme disease patients say consensus criteria for treating the disease are too narrow and lead to needless suffering.

Jones defends his actions.

The panel is also recommending that Jones hire another doctor to review all his patients’ records.

The findings may draw attention nationwide because they question whether it is appropriate to treat patients who show symptoms of Lyme disease that don’t fall within the criteria set by mainstream doctors. Symptoms include aching joints and fatigue.

The panel upheld nearly every allegation made by the health department related to the diagnosis and treatment of the two Nevada children, which became an issue during a custody dispute.

“The respondent diagnosed a disease when the exposure risk was extremely low, medical history was non-specific, the signs and symptoms were non-specific, and the laboratory tests were negative,” the panel found.

Jones responded by noting that he has been successful in treating thousands of Lyme disease patients.

Most medical experts say there is little evidence that Lyme disease, if properly treated, continues to cause ongoing symptoms. Two medical associations that have issued treatment guidelines for the disease have bolstered the consensus view.

A majority of doctors say solid proof is lacking that long-term courses of antibiotics benefit patients with symptoms similar to those of Lyme disease over time. They also say many of these patients’ symptoms are likely due to other causes.

Lyme disease patient advocates insist there is plenty of evidence that the bacterium that causes the ailment can linger for years, even after initial treatment with antibiotics.

They believe many doctors fail to recognize clinical signs of the disease and refuse to prescribe long courses of antibiotics, leading to needless suffering by thousands of people.

Supporters of Jones packed the state hearings and raised money for his defense.

“Dr. Jones is being charged with improperly diagnosing and treating Lyme disease after having treated and cured two children whose health was of great concern to their mother for years,” said Elliot Pollack, Jones’ lawyer “Instead of being sanctioned, he should be complimented.”

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Information from: The Hartford Courant, http://www.courant.com

AP-ES-11-29-07 2207EST