Abstract: A computer-implemented method of identifying a pathogen likely causing an increased somatic cell count in a sample of fluid is described. An image of the sample of fluid is received. Pixels in the image are parsed to identify pixels representing somatic cells. The identified pixels are analyzed to determine image parameters. The determined images parameters are compared with different sets of predefined pathogen parameters stored in memory to determine a match. Each of the sets of pathogen parameters represents a different one of a plurality of pathogens. The pathogen likely causing an increased somatic cell count is identified by the set of the pathogen parameters that matches the image parameters. A computer readable medium storing instructions to implement the method and a system configure to implement the method are also described.

Abstract: A biological fluid analysis system and method for measuring optical characteristics of a sample of biological fluid using a commercially available portable computing device having a camera, such as a smart phone. The system includes a scope, a case that attaches to the portable computing device, and a software application that runs on the portable computing device. Some embodiments of the invention include a sample slide having a viewing chamber that can be filled with a biological fluid to be analyzed by the biological fluid analysis system. The system may be adapted to analyze cow's milk to estimate the number of somatic cells per unit volume contained in the milk using a reagent that stains the somatic cells so that they will fluoresce when excited by light with a particular wavelength, with the light source in the scope being adapted to generate light of that particular wavelength.