Abstract Background Candida auris is an emerging healthcare-associated multi-drug resistant pathogen able to cause severe invasive infections. Public health agencies have emphasized the need for active surveillance of C. auris to enable prompt infection control measures in healthcare institutions. Four commercially available chromogenic selective media were evaluated for the isolation of C. auris in this study. Methods Four chromogenic selective media (Brilliance Candida (BC), CHROMagar Candida (CC), CHROMagar Candida Plus (CCP) and chromID Candida (CAN2)) were evaluated with 52 fungal and 20 bacterial strains. Isolates were identified with Vitek matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MS). 1 µL spots of broth subcultures of each organism were inoculated onto chromogenic media and incubated as per manufacturer’s instructions. Plates were read at 24, 36 and 48 hours. Sabouraud Dextrose agar (fungi) or blood agar (bacteria) were inoculated to obtain viable counts. All reads were categorized into color groups. Sensitivity and specificity were determined based on phenotypic characteristics after 48h of incubation. Additionally, spots of serially diluted C. auris type strain CDC B11903 were assessed for expression of the expected C. auris phenotype at 36, 48 and 72 h. Probit regression model (R version 3.6.3) was used to estimate limit of detection (LOD) for each medium at each time-point. Results A minimum of 36h incubation (optimally > 48 h) was required for observation of distinct color and colony morphology. CCP performed best overall, with 100% sensitivity and 96% specificity. Sensitivity was 100% across all 4 media, but specificity was reduced (BC – 66%, CAN2 – 83%, CC – 81%). The lowest LOD was observed with CCP at 4 colony-forming units (CFU). See figure 1 for details. Figure 1. Comparison of limit of detection for C. auris by type of chromogenic selective media across various time-points. Conclusion Rapid isolation and accurate identification of C. auris from samples, including those from non-sterile sites, are crucial for the management of C. auris infections and in curtailing nosocomial transmission. Chromogenic media are simple to use, inexpensive and scalable; ideal for routine diagnostics and high volume screening samples. Of the 4 media evaluated, CCP is best suited to screen for C. auris, with subsequent confirmation of identification using MS or genotypic methods. Disclosures Lynette Phee, MD PhD, Creative Life Science Co. Ltd (Creative Media Plate) (Other Financial or Material Support, Provided some of the CHROMagar Candida and CHROMagar Candida Plus plates free-of-charge for evaluation purposes.)Fort Richard Laboratories (Other Financial or Material Support, Provided some of the CHROMagar Candida Plus plates free-of-charge for evaluation purposes.)