 - Confirmed diagnosis of PV within the previous 24 months, based on the presence of histological features of acantholysis via skin or mucosal biopsy and one of the following: tissue bound immunoglobulin G IgG antibodies by direct immunofluorescence on the surface of affected epithelium or serological detection of serum desmoglein-3 DSg3 autoantibodies against epithelial cell surface either by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy or by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay 