An apparatus (1) comprising an optical device (2) for monitoring
bacterial growth of a dosed liquid biological sample. The apparatus is provided with a sample
container port for receiving, in use, a sample container (6) having at least one detection chamber (20) for containing a dosed sample. The optical device (2) comprises a
light source (22) configured to emit light along an
incident beam axis which, in use, intersects at least one detection chamber (20) of the sample container (6) and illuminates a dosed sample contained in the detection chamber (20). The optical device (20) comprises a first
photodetector (26) configured to receive light scattered by
bacteria in the sample. The optical device (2) comprises a light collection arrangement (24) configured to collect light exiting the detection chamber (20) that has been positively scattered by
bacteria in the sample at a scattering angle range of between about + / - 4 and + / - 20 degrees relative to the
incident beam axis and direct the collected
scattered light to the first
photodetector (26); and prevent non-
scattered light travelling parallel to the
incident beam axis and exiting the detection chamber (20) from reaching the first
photodetector (26). The optical device (2) comprises at least one processor configured to: measure an intensity of the
scattered light received by the first photodetector (26); determine a respective representative quantity or concentration of
bacteria in the sample from the intensity of the scattered light; repeat the measuring and determining steps at a series of predetermined intervals to determine changes in the representative quantity or concentration of bacteria in the sample over time; and determine a respective susceptibility of the bacteria in the sample to a respective
drug.