The Infectious Diseases Society of America has agreed to review its guidelines, which say there's no evidence long-term antibiotics can cure "chronic Lyme" disease -- or even that such a condition exists.

The agreement settles an unprecedented antitrust investigation by Connecticut's attorney general over the matter. The doctors group makes clear that current guidance for treating Lyme disease remains in place.

But that didn't stop claims of success by the attorney general and people who think they suffer long-term effects of the tick-borne disease.

"It's a great victory for patients," said Pat Smith, president of the Lyme Disease Association, a national nonprofit group with headquarters in New Jersey. "It's time that Lyme patients got the respect they deserve."

The agreement, which was announced Thursday, calls for the doctors group to form a new panel of experts to review the standards for treating Lyme disease. The Infectious Diseases Society says it agreed to the arrangement in part because the panel must be made up of doctors and scientists.

Lyme disease can be hard to diagnose with its vague, flulike symptoms; the most obvious sign is its trademark round, red rash. Usually, it's easily cured with a few weeks of antibiotics. Those who are not promptly treated can develop arthritis, meningitis and other serious illnesses.