Abstract: The invention described herein provides molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) that are capable of binding to a microorganism, and methods for detecting and/or identifying microorganisms utilizing Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs). The microorganisms of the invention include prokaryotes, eukaryotes, virus and prions. The methods of the invention comprise detecting all or part, including epitopes, of macromolecules associated with the microorganisms. The macromolecules of the invention include polysaccharides, proteins, glycoproteins, peptidoglycans, lipoproteins, peptides, polypeptides, and polynucleotides, associated with said microorganisms. The invention also provides for methods of diagnosing a subject infected with the microorganisms utilizing MIPs, in addition to diagnostic kits.