Abstract: A method of testing an organic sample to provide an indication of the level of bacteria and/or number of somatic cells present in the sample, the method including collecting the sample and contacting the sample with a reagent which reacts with ATP to produce light emissions, and subsequently, at the beginning (O) of a measurement period (A, B), contacting the sample with an extractant in the presence of the reagent, the extractant rupturing cells present in the sample to release cell-bound ATP to react with the reagent to produce light emissions, and immediately after contacting the sample with the extractant, detecting the light emissions with a light detecting device (18), and the method includes during an initial measurement period (A) immediately after contacting the sample with the extractant, detecting the level of light emissions, and in a subsequent measurement period (B), detecting the level of light emissions, statistically analyzing the detected values to determine a rate of change of light emissio

Abstract: A method of testing an organic sample to provide an indication of the level of bacteria and/or number of somatic cells present in the sample, the method including collecting the sample and contacting the sample with a reagent which reacts with ATP to produce light emissions, and subsequently, at the beginning (O) of a measurement period (A, B), contacting the sample with an extractant in the presence of the reagent, the extractant rupturing cells present in the sample to release cell-bound ATP to react with the reagent to produce light emissions, and immediately after contacting the sample with the extractant, detecting the light emissions with a light detecting device (18), and the method includes during an initial measurement period (A) immediately after contacting the sample with the extractant, detecting the level of light emissions, and in a subsequent measurement period (B), detecting the level of light emissions, statistically analysing the detected values to determine a rate of change of light emissio

Abstract: A method of testing a biological fluid for the presence of an infection. The method includes the steps of introducing a sample of biological fluid and a reagent including light amplifying compound into a reaction chamber, the light amplifying compound reacting with a substance present only in an infected sample to emit light, and immediately measuring the intensity of any light emitted from the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a biological fluid from an animal for the presence of disease in the animal. The apparatus including a container, a dipstick and a luminometer. One end of the dipstick is inserted into a sample of the fluid so that a predetermined amount of the sample becomes attached to the dipstick and takes part in a reaction in the container which produces light emissions. The luminometer receives the container and is operated whereby a determination of the level of bacteria in the sample and hence of disease in the animal is made, by sensing the light emissions from the container.